Golden Stripe Butterflyfish

Golden Stripe Butterflyfish

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chaetodon aureofasciatus

Overview
Reef Compatible: WITH CAUTION
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Docile
Origin: Australia

Chaetodon aureofasciatus, also known as the golden butterflyfish, golden-banded butterflyfish, golden-striped butterflyfish, or sunburst butterflyfish, is a captivating marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. Let’s explore this vibrant species:

1. Appearance:

   • The golden butterflyfish has a whitish body intricately cross-hatched with darker lines, creating a subtle purple hue.
   • Its caudal, anal, dorsal, and pelvic fins are a brilliant yellow.
   • An orange vertical band, edged with black, runs through its eye, and just behind the head, there’s another thin vertical orange band.
   • The dorsal fin boasts 11 spines and 20–22 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 17–18 soft rays.
   • This species attains a maximum total length of 12.5 centimeters (4.9 inches).

2. Distribution:

   • Golden butterflyfish inhabit the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
   • Their range extends from northern Australia (from Coral Bay in Western Australia to Moreton Bay in Queensland) to southern Papua New Guinea.

3. Habitat and Behavior:

   • They thrive on coastal and offshore reefs, even those near river mouths.
   • Remarkably, they can withstand high percentages of freshwater.
   • Golden butterflyfish are often encountered as pairs or small groups.
   • Their primary diet consists of coral polyps, although they can persist in areas with relatively sparse coral growth.
   • Interestingly, they seem to have developed a broader diet than other corallivorous butterflyfish, possibly in response to coral declines, even venturing into brackish water.

4. Systematics and Etymology:

   • First formally described in 1878 by the Scottish-Australian naturalist William John Macleay, the type locality for this species is Darwin, Northern Territory.
   • Golden butterflyfish is closely related to the eightband butterflyfish (C. octofasciatus) and less closely related to Rainford’s butterflyfish (C. rainfordi).
   • These diverse, high-bodied species constitute the subgenus Discochaetodon, of which C. octofasciatus is the type species.
   • They may also be close relatives of the subgenus Tetrachaetodon, which includes the mirror butterflyfish (C. speculum).

These radiant fish add a touch of elegance to the coral reefs they call home.