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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Yellowhead butterflyfish

Chaetodon xanthocephalus Bennett, 1833
Chaetodon Xanthocephalus (Chaetodon xanthocephalus)
Chaetodon Xanthocephalus (Chaetodon xanthocephalus)
Max Length
20 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.7
Depth
1–30 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Hybrids with C. ephippium known. Adults are usually solitary , but may form loose shoals of 5-6 individuals and usually found around isolated coral heads. Territorial and aggressive to other chaetodonts; omnivorous . Oviparous , monogamous . Form pairs during breeding .

Scientific Name
Chaetodon xanthocephalus
Authority
Bennett, 1833
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
20 cm
Depth Range
1–30 m
Trophic Level
2.7
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
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
Yellowhead butterflyfish
Chaetodon xanthocephalus

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 21 - 23. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Yellowhead butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Yellowhead 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 1 - 30 m. Tropical; - 30°S East Africa (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
2.7±0.24
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02291 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
20cm
Dorsal Spines
14
Dorsal Rays
24
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
22

🌡️ 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
22.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.7
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Bennett, 1833

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Yellowhead 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 18.4 g
Omega-3 (total) 106 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Yellowhead 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

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Goldheaded Butterflyfish · Goldring Butterflyfish · Yellow-head Butterflyfish · Yellowhead Butterflyfish
🏳️Catalan Peix papallona vibrant
🌍CES klipka žlutohlavá
🇩🇰Danish Gulhovedet fanefisk
🇩🇪German Gelbkopf-Falterfisch
🇫🇷French Chétodon à tete jaune · Papillon à tête jaune · Poisson-papillon à tête jaune
🇮🇹Italian Pesce farfalla testa gialla
🇵🇹Portuguese Peixe-borboleta-de-sela-dourada
🇷🇺Russian Желтоголовая рыба-бабочка
🇪🇸Spanish Pez Mariposa Imperial

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Chaetodon auromarginatus Bliss 1883 Synonym
Chaetodon dayi Ahl 1923 Synonym
Chaetodon nigripinnatus Desjardins 1836 Synonym
Chaetodon nigripinnis Peters 1855 Synonym
Chaetodon xanthoicephalus Bennett 1833 Synonym
Chelmo pulcher Steindachner 1875 Synonym
Choetodon nigripinnatus Desjardins 1836 Synonym
Tetragonoptrus pulcher Steindachner 1875 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

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