Zanzibar butterflyfish
📖 Overview
Adults are usually seen alone or in pairs (specially during spawning) but occasionally in small groups, particularly in the vicinity of staghorn Acropora and Goniopora thickets. Diet consists of live corals which makes it difficult to maintain in captivity . Little intraspecific nor interspecific aggressiveness . Oviparous , monogamous . Form pairs during breeding .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17. Black spot with white or bluish edges on its sides .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Zanzibar butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing . Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 3 - 40 m . Tropical; - 30°S East Africa south to Durban, South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Zanzibar 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 | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 125 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Zanzibar butterflyfish 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 | Zanzibar butterflyfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix papallona de Zanzíbar |
| 🌍CES | klipka zanzibarská |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Zanzibar-fanefisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Einfleck-Falterfisch · Sansibar-Falterfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Papillon de Zanzibar · Poisson-papillon de Zanzibar |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce farfalla di Zanzibar |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-borboleta-do-Zanzibar |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Занзибарская рыба-бабочка |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez Mariposa de Zanzibar |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetodon zanzibariensis | Playfair | 1867 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Zanzibar butterflyfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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