📖 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
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
🐟 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
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
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
🧍 Solitary
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.02291 × L3
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 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
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
✓ Sustainable Choice
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g
- Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year |
Region |
Index |
Notes |
| - |
- |
- |
|
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Golden butterflyfish.
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed
.