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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Golden butterflyfish

Chaetodon aureofasciatus Macleay, 1878
Max Length
16 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
5–15 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit coastal and inner reefs; juveniles among branching corals. Solitary or paired . Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding . They hybridize with Chaetodon rainfordi .

Scientific Name
Chaetodon aureofasciatus
Authority
Macleay, 1878
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
16 cm
Depth Range
5–15 m
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17 - 18; Vertebrae: 24. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Golden butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Golden butterflyfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Form pairs during breeding . Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 5 - 15 m . Tropical; 0°S - 45°S

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.3±0.61
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02291 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
16cm
Dorsal Spines
11
Dorsal Rays
21
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
18
Vertebrae
24

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Macleay, 1878

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Golden butterflyfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 124 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Golden butterflyfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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View all observations for Golden butterflyfish ↗
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