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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Crochet butterflyfish

Chaetodon guentheri Ahl, 1923
Max Length
18 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
2.8
Depth
5–40 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
20.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Inhabit seaward reefs in areas with rich coral growth. Usually solitary, but also a schooling species that is often on the move, usually in areas prone to strong currents. Usually deep in Indonesia and adults are rarely found in less than 40 m depth. Mainly found in sponge zones and deep water occurrence is habitat related, not cold water as sometimes suggested. This species will travel in open water and cleans large pelagic fishes . Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding .

Scientific Name
Chaetodon guentheri
Authority
Ahl, 1923
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
18 cm
Depth Range
5–40 m
Trophic Level
2.8
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
20.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Crochet butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Crochet butterflyfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Distinct pairing .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 40 m . Tropical South Wales (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
2.8±0.26
🐠 Schooling 🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02291 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
18cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
22
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
18

🌡️ 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
20.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.8
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Ahl, 1923

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Crochet 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 18.5 g
Omega-3 (total) 113 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Crochet 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 guntheri Ahl 1923 Heterotypic
Chaetodon punctulatus Ahl 1923 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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View all observations for Crochet butterflyfish ↗
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