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Bandtail goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus) — Mullidae

Bandtail goatfish

Upeneus taeniopterus
Family: Mullidae

The Bandtail goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bandtail goatfish is a goatfish (Mullidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 33 cm and has an elongate, silvery to reddish body, a pair of long barbels under the chin and oblique dark bands on the tail lobes. With the barbels it probes sand and reef bottoms for worms, crustaceans and molluscs. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bandtail goatfish?

The Bandtail goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bandtail goatfish live?

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

How big does the Bandtail goatfish get?

The Bandtail goatfish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Bandtail goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bandtail goatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bandtail goatfish edible?

Yes, the Bandtail goatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandstaart-mul sourced
English name
Bandtail goatfish sourced
Scientific name
Upeneus taeniopterus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Bandtail goatfish; Band-tail goatfish; Band-tailed goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 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 Upeneus

More from the family Mullidae

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