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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Gardner's butterflyfish

Chaetodon gardineri Norman, 1939
Max Length
17 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
2–91 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
18.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Found in deep reefs below 25 m, rarely as shallow as 15 m . Found in East Indian region at 2-40 m . Paired or in groups . Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding .

Scientific Name
Chaetodon gardineri
Authority
Norman, 1939
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
17 cm
Depth Range
2–91 m
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
18.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18 - 19. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Gardner's butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Gardner's butterflyfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Form pairs during breeding .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 91 m , usually 20 - ? m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Oman eastward to Sri Lanka.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.6±0.41

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02291 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
17cm
Dorsal Spines
12
Dorsal Rays
21
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
19

🌡️ 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
18.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Norman, 1939

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Gardner's 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 18.7 g
Omega-3 (total) 134 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Gardner's 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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Chaetodon gardneri Norman 1939 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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