Bank butterflyfish
📖 Overview
Bank butterflyfish (Prognathodes aya), first described by Jordan, 1886 is a medium-sized fish in the family Chaetodontidae (order Acanthuriformes). Adults typically reach 15.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 20 to 170 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish, kept in the aquarium hobby, and considered a sustainable seafood option under current management. As a member of the Chaetodontidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16. Broad dark bar slopes down and backward from middle of spiny dorsal fin to base of rear part of anal fin .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bank butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Form pairs during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 170 m , usually 45 - 170 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 20°N Central Atlantic: North Carolina and northeastern Gulf of Mexico to Yucatan in Mexico; unknown in Bahamas and Antilles.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bank 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 | 19.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 217 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bank 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 | bank butterflyfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix papallona crioll |
| 🌍CES | klipka aya |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Dybvandsfanefisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Florida-Pinzettfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson-papillon de Floride |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce farfalla della Florida |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-borboleta-do-golfo |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | mariposa de banco |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 沙洲蝴蝶魚 |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Bank butterflyfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 14 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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