Cenderawasih Longnose Butterflyfish

Forcipiger wanai

The Cenderawasih longnose butterflyfish is a distinctive reef fish endemic to the Cenderawasih Bay in the Bird's Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia. It belongs to the family Chaetodontidae and is known for its elongated snout, which sets it apart from other butterflyfish species. The fish exhibits a compressed body shape with a combination of dorsal spines and soft rays, making it easily recognizable to divers. This species inhabits outer reef slopes, deep passages, and channels, thriving in both silty and clear offshore reef environments. Divers can encounter it at depths ranging from 5 to 40 meters. Typically found in pairs, the Cenderawasih longnose butterflyfish is a reef-associated species, contributing to the marine life of its habitat. As of now, it has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List.