Brownburnie
📖 Overview
Brownburnie (Chaetodon blackburnii), first described by Desjardins, 1836 is a small fish in the family Chaetodontidae (order Acanthuriformes). Adults typically reach 13.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish, kept in the aquarium hobby, and considered a sustainable seafood option under current management. As a member of the Chaetodontidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 23; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17 - 18. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Brownburnie is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Form pairs during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 30 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Kenya to about 33°S, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Brownburnie is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 113 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Brownburnie has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Blackburn's Butterflyfish · Brownburnie |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Blackburns fanefisk |
| 🇫🇷French | Papillon de Blackburn |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetodon blockburnii | Desjardins | 1836 | Synonym |
| Tetragonoptrus blackburni | Desjardins | 1836 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Brownburnie.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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