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Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus) — Mullidae

Blacksaddle goatfish

Parupeneus spilurus
Family: Mullidae

The Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
10.0–80.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Blacksaddle goatfish is a goatfish (Mullidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 50 cm and has an elongate body with a pair of long barbels under the chin. The body bears a dark longitudinal stripe and a black saddle blotch near the tail. 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 Blacksaddle goatfish?

The Blacksaddle goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Blacksaddle goatfish live?

The Blacksaddle goatfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Blacksaddle goatfish get?

The Blacksaddle goatfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Blacksaddle goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacksaddle 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 Blacksaddle goatfish edible?

Yes, the Blacksaddle goatfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus) — Mullidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus) — Mullidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus) — Mullidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Peter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus spilurus) — Mullidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blacksaddle goatfish sourced
Scientific name
Parupeneus spilurus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Black-spot goat fish; Blackspot goatfish; Goat fish; Northern kahawai; One-spot goatfish; Red goatfish; Tailspot goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu 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 Parupeneus

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Fin

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