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Long-barbel goatfish (Parupeneus macronemus) — Mullidae

Long-barbel goatfish

Parupeneus macronemus
Family: Mullidae

The Long-barbel goatfish (Parupeneus macronemus) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–40.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The long-barbel goatfish is a goatfish (Mullidae) from the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a light-brown body with a dark longitudinal band, a spot on the tail base and a pair of long chin barbels with which it probes sand and reef bottoms for prey. As a bottom-oriented reef-dweller it searches for small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Long-barbel goatfish?

The Long-barbel goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Long-barbel goatfish live?

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

How big does the Long-barbel goatfish get?

The Long-barbel goatfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Long-barbel goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Long-barbel goatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Long-barbel goatfish edible?

Yes, the Long-barbel goatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandstip-koraalmeerbaars sourced
English name
Long-barbel goatfish sourced
Scientific name
Parupeneus macronemus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Band-dot goatfish; Dot and dash goatfish; Longbarbel goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Parupeneus

More from the family Mullidae

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