| Family: |
Mullidae (Goatfishes) |
| Max. size: |
43 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 423.3 g |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 99 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea, East and South Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes to the Hawaiian Is., Line Is. and Pitcairn Group; north to southern Japan and Midway Is.; south to Australia (North West Cape, WA, Eastern Australia, NSW) at 36°S, Lord Howe I. and New Caledonia; one record from New Zealand. Common throughout most of its range (Ref. 9710). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Back grey to olive, sides and belly whitish; 1-2 longitudinal yellow bands; dark blotch below 1st dorsal fin (Ref. 5405). Yellow-mid-lateral stripe from eye to tail and some yellow striping on cheek and along abdomen (Ref. 48636). Head length 3.1-3.5 in SL, length of snout 1.9.-2.2 and barbel 1.4-1.7 in HL. Body depth 3.7-4.8 in SL. (Ref. 90102) |
| Biology: |
Occasionally schooling species inhabit shallow sandy areas of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Large adults are often found solitary on sand slopes with other species following to feed on prey that are disturbed when the goatfish is feeding (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed on crustaceans, mollusks, worms, heart urchins and foraminiferans. Consumed fresh or dried. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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