Home · Mullidae · Bandtail goatfish
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
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, China, Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bandtail goatfish?

Get the app

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. Oceania: American Samoa, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, China, Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others

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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bandtail goatfish edible?

Yes, the Bandtail goatfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bandtail goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus) — Mullidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) michael_zambardino, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandtail goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus) — Mullidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandtail goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus) — Mullidae — 4
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Bandtail goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus) — Mullidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Rad Dad Chad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bandtail goatfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bandtail goatfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bandtail goatfish sourced
Scientific name
Upeneus taeniopterus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Bandtail goatfish; Band-tail goatfish; Band-tailed goatfish; Finstripe goatfish; Nightmare weke; Goatfish; Rouget-souris rayé 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
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, China, Cocos Is. (Keel), Cook Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Upeneus

Australian goatfish (Upeneus australiae) — Mullidae
Australian goatfish
Upeneus australiae
Mullidae
 Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) — Mullidae
Dwarf Goatfish
Upeneus parvus
Mullidae
 Francis' goatfish (Upeneus francisi) — Mullidae
Francis' goatfish
Upeneus francisi
Mullidae
 Bandedtail goatfish (Upeneus vittatus) — Mullidae
Bandedtail goatfish
Upeneus vittatus
Mullidae
 Bartaiedl goatfish (Upeneus tragula) — Mullidae
Bartaiedl goatfish
Upeneus tragula
Mullidae
 Goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) — Mullidae
Goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis)
Mullidae

More from the family Mullidae

Argentine goatfish (Mullus argentinae) — Mullidae
Argentine goatfish
Mullus argentinae
Mullidae
 Australian goatfish (Upeneus australiae) — Mullidae
Australian goatfish
Upeneus australiae
Mullidae
 Long-barbel goatfish (Parupeneus macronemus) — Mullidae
Long-barbel goatfish
Parupeneus macronemus
Mullidae
 Copper pilot (Pseudupeneus maculatus) — Mullidae
Copper pilot
Pseudupeneus maculatus
Mullidae
 Bearfish (Mulloidichthys martinicus) — Mullidae
Bearfish
Mulloidichthys martinicus
Mullidae
 Blue-lined goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) — Mullidae
Blue-lined goatfish
Upeneichthys lineatus
Mullidae
 Bluespotted goatfish (Upeneichthys vlamingii) — Mullidae
Bluespotted goatfish
Upeneichthys vlamingii
Mullidae
 Bighead goatfish (Parupeneus heptacanthus) — Mullidae
Bighead goatfish
Parupeneus heptacanthus
Mullidae
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bandtail goatfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bandtail goatfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bandtail goatfish? Get the app