Hawaiian gold-barred butterflyfish
📖 Overview
Hawaiian gold-barred butterflyfish (Roa excelsa), first described by Jordan, 1921 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 291 metres. It occurs in Tropical 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): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Hawaiian gold-barred butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Form pairs during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 291 m . Tropical Pacific Ocean: Guam and the Hawaiian Islands.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Hawaiian gold-barred 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
Detailed nutritional data for Hawaiian gold-barred butterflyfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Hawaiian gold-barred 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 | Brown-barred butterflyfish · Hawaiian Gold-barred Butterflyfish |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix papallona de ratlles marrons |
| 🌍CES | klipka vznešená |
| 🇩🇪German | Hawaii-Roa-Falterfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson-papillon rayé mésophite |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-borboleta-de-listras-marrom |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetodon excelsa | Jordan | 1921 | Synonym |
| Heniochus excelsa | Jordan | 1923 | Synonym |
| Loa excelsa | Jordan | 1921 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Hawaiian gold-barred butterflyfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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