Prognathodes carlhubbsi

Nalbant, 1995

Scythe Butterflyfish

Range: Southeast Pacific Ocean: Galapagos Islands, Colombia, and Peru.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky coastal reef areas between 40 to 800 feet (12 – 240 m) and feeds on sponges, worms, crustaceans and other benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: This rarely ever collected species, one that has very limited global access, is another in this genus that comes from deep waters. It has a yellowish silvery body with an inverted ‘V’ black band on the body, a narrow black band over the head connecting both eyes, and yellow and black in the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins.

When available and provided suitable living conditions, perferrably having water temperatures in the low 70’s, is said to adapt quite easily to aquarium life in larger peaceful fish-only community aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. Cannot be housed with others in the same genus, nor is safe with tubeworms, crustaceans, and quite possibly many other forms of benthic invertebrates.

A meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis should be offered several times daily.

Should there be a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium may help entice it to begin feeding.

If you have a photo of this species, share it with me so I may post it for others to see.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Chaetodontidae

Genus: Prognathodes

FYI: Quite attractive, hardy, but quite expensive, not only because its areas of collection are quite limited, it also needs to undergo decompression stops to prevent injury to its gas bladder since its captured in deep waters.

Those in this genus are usually referred to as ‘Longnose Butterflyfish.’

Pressing some soft foods into openings/crevices on a piece of old dead coral skeleton can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: No

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Temperature Range: 66 - 74°F (20 – 23°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5