Scythemarked butterflyfish
📖 Overview
Usually solitary. Found in rocky, boulder strewn areas . Close relatives are known to pinch off and eat tube feet of sea urchins and other echinoderms. Also feed on crustaceans, worms and other small invertebrates . Because they live in relatively deeper waters, they are seldom collected, thus, rarely seen in the aquarium trade . Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 20; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 14 - 16. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Scythemarked butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Scythemarked butterflyfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Form pairs during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 150 m. Subtropical
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans, worms and other small invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Scythemarked 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) | 213 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Scythemarked butterflyfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Northern Scythe Butterflyfish · Scythemarked Butterflyfish · scythe butterflyfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix papallona de nas afilat del nord |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Le-mærke fanefisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Galapagos-Pinzettfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Papillon faucille |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce farfalla falciforme |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-borboleta-bico-de-pinça-do-norte |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Mariposa de Scythe · Mariposa gaudaña · Pez Mariposa Guadaña · mariposa guadaña |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 鐮蝴蝶魚 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetodon falcifer | Hubbs & Rechnitzer | 1958 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 10 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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