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Banded goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) — Mullidae

Banded goatfish

Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
Family: Mullidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
39.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–113.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowfin goatfish is a goatfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a silvery body with a yellow lateral stripe and yellow fins, and a pair of long chin barbels with which it probes sand and crevices for food. By day it often rests in large, stationary schools above the reef; at night it spreads out to hunt small bottom crustaceans and worms. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded goatfish?

The Banded goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded goatfish live?

The Banded goatfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Banded goatfish get?

The Banded goatfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Banded goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded goatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded goatfish edible?

Yes, the Banded goatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelvin-koraalmeerval verified
English name
Banded goatfish verified
Scientific name
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Flame goatfish; Goatfish; Golden banded goatfish; Goldenstripe goatfish; Goldstripe goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.8 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
113.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen en netten sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mulloidichthys

More from the family Mullidae

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