Ryan Photographic - Mullidae - Goatfishes

Family Mullidae

The family Mullidae is widely distributed in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Fishbase currently lists 55 species in 6 genera. The goatfish have a pair of sensory barbels under the chin which are used to detect the invertebrates or small fish on which they feed. Some species have marked color change ability and many have a special night time pattern. A few species exhibit variable coloration. An important food fish in some areas. A few goatfish species react with alarm to the pre-flash on current strobes and several times my photo has conisted of a fleeing fish.

Mulloidichthys dentatus Mexican goatfish

Mulloidichthys flavolineatus Yellowstripe goatfish

Mulloidichthys martinicus Yellow goatfish

Mulloidichthys vanicolensis Yellowfin goatfish

Mulloidichthys vanicolensis Yellowfin goatfish, Kadavu, Fiji

Parupeneus barberinoides Bicolor goatfish

Parupeneus barbarinus Dash-dot goatfish

Parupeneus barbarinus Dash-dot goatfish and Labroides pectoralis breast-spot cleaner wrasse

Parupeneus bifasciatus Double bar goatfish

Parupeneus bifasciatus Double bar goatfish lateral. Matamanoa, Fiji.

Parupeneus bifasciatus Double bar goatfish, Matamanoa, Fiji

Parupeneus ciliatus Cardinal goatfish

Parupeneus ciliatus Cardinal goatfish, Kadavu, Fiji

Parupeneus multifasciatus Manybar goatfish

Parupeneus multifasciatus Manybar goatfish being cleaned by cleaner wrasse, Kadavu, Fiji.

Parupeneus pleurostigma Sidespot goatfish

Parupeneus pleurostigma Sidespot goatfish, Kadavu, Fiji

Pseudupeneus maculatus Spotted goatfish

Upeneus tragula Freckled goatfish

Goatfish at night

Goatfish at night. Dravuni lagoon, Fiji.

Fishes

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