Blackback butterflyfish
📖 Overview
Adults are usually solitary or in pairs in coral-rich areas of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs to a depth of over 15 m. Juveniles inshore. In pairs or traveling in small groups . Adults feed on octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps. Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding . Easy to maintain in the aquarium. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackback butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blackback butterflyfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing . Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 2 - 20 m . Tropical; 36°N - 36°S, 20°E - 155°W East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
🌿 Ecology
octocorallian and scleractinian coral polyps
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blackback butterflyfish 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 | 18.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 117 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blackback butterflyfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Black-back Butterflyfish · Black-backed Coralfish · Black-backed butterflyfish · Blackbacked Butterflyfish · blackback butterflyfish |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sortrygget fanefisk |
| 🇫🇷French | Chétodon à dos noir · Papillon à dos noir · Pavillon à dos noir |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Akebono-chôchô-uo · Akebonochochouo · アケボノチョウチョウウオ |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Ustnik ciemnopregi |
| 🌍VIE | Cá Bướm hai chấm |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 太陽蝶 · 曙色蝶 · 黑背蝴蝶魚 · 黑背蝴蝶鱼 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetodon abhortani | Cuvier | 1831 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon dorsalis | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon marginatus | Cuvier | 1831 | Heterotypic |
| Chaetodon melanotus | Cuvier | 1831 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon reinwardti | Günther | 1860 | Synonym |
| Mesochaetodon strongylochaetodon melannotus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Tetragonoptrus dorsalis | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Tetragonoptrus melanotus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 18 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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