| Family: |
Mullidae (Goatfishes) |
| Max. size: |
44.8 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 49 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Florida, USA to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 9626). Eastern Atlantic: single record from Ile de Sào Tiago, Baie de Tarrafal, Cape Verde (Ref. 7313). Reported from São Tomé Island (Ref. 34088). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Body pale tan with distinctive yellow stripe from eye to caudal fin; tail yellow. Less brightly colored than other species and is the only one with a single yellow stripe along side (Ref. 26938). |
| Biology: |
Found over sandy areas of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Often in schools (Ref. 26938). Forms schools with the smallmouth grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum), an association regarded as social protective mimicry (Ref. 52492). Juveniles are common in seagrass beds (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 7313). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3792). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
reports of ciguatera poisoning |
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