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Goldribbon soapfish (Aulacocephalus temminckii) — Serranidae

Goldribbon soapfish

Aulacocephalus temminckii
Family: Serranidae

The Goldribbon soapfish (Aulacocephalus temminckii) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20–350 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Tahiti, French Polynesia and others

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Description

The goldribbon soapfish is a soapfish (Serranidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, deep-blue body with a conspicuous yellow longitudinal band along the back and through the eye. As a bottom-oriented predator it shelters in crevices and caves of rocky reefs and hunts small fish and crustaceans. When disturbed it secretes a soapy, toxic skin mucus; the fish must not be eaten, but touching is usually harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldribbon soapfish?

The Goldribbon soapfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Goldribbon soapfish live?

The Goldribbon soapfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Tahiti, French Polynesia and others

How big does the Goldribbon soapfish get?

The Goldribbon soapfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Goldribbon soapfish dangerous to humans?

The Goldribbon soapfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. When disturbed this soapfish secretes a soapy, toxic skin mucus (grammistin). Do not eat the fish; the mucus makes the flesh inedible and can kill other fish in a confined space. Touching is usually harmless, but wash hands afterwards and avoid contact with eyes and wounds.

More photos

Goldribbon soapfish (Aulacocephalus temminckii) — Serranidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France) (CC BY 4.0)
Goldribbon soapfish (Aulacocephalus temminckii) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) mscott, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldribbon soapfish (Aulacocephalus temminckii) — Serranidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Goldribbon soapfish (Aulacocephalus temminckii) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Malcolm Francis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Goldribbon soapfish sourced
Scientific name
Aulacocephalus temminckii
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Goldribbon cod; Goldribbon soapfish; Goldstripe groper; Gold ribbon grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
20 verified
Max depth (m)
350 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Tahiti, French Polynesia and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
When disturbed this soapfish secretes a soapy, toxic skin mucus (grammistin). Do not eat the fish; the mucus makes the flesh inedible and can kill other fish in a confined space. Touching is usually harmless, but wash hands afterwards and avoid contact with eyes and wounds. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Serranidae

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