New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Eastern triangular butterflyfish

Chaetodon baronessa Cuvier, 1829
Max Length
16 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
5–20 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
14.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults occur in lagoon and seaward reefs. They feed exclusively on the polyps of the tubular Acropora corals. They swim in pairs and are territorial. Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding .

Scientific Name
Chaetodon baronessa
Authority
Cuvier, 1829
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
16 cm
Depth Range
5–20 m
Latitude
26°S – 36°N
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
14.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Acanthuriformes
Acanthuriformes
Family
Chaetodontidae
Chaetodontidae
Genus
Chaetodon
Chaetodon
Species
Eastern triangular butterflyfish
Chaetodon baronessa

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 20 - 22. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Eastern triangular butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

Distinct pairing . Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 5 - 20 m . Tropical; 36°N - 26°S, 96°E - 168°W north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and New South Wales, Australia.

🌿 Ecology

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

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02344 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
16cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
25
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
21

🌡️ 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
14.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
36°N – 26°S
Described By
Cuvier, 1829

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Eastern triangular 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 18.6 g
Omega-3 (total) 113 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Eastern triangular 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 Eastern triangular butterflyfish.

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Eastern triangular butterflyfish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.