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Doublebar goatfish (Parupeneus trifasciatus) — Mullidae

Doublebar goatfish

Parupeneus trifasciatus
Family: Mullidae
LC · Least Concern

The Doublebar goatfish (Parupeneus trifasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indian Ocean; lagoon and seaward coral reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The doublebar goatfish is a goatfish of the family Mullidae from the Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a pale-grey to reddish body with a few dark crossbars on the rear body. Characteristic is a pair of long barbels under the chin, with which it probes the bottom for prey. Juveniles live on reef flats, while adults occur around rocky or coral-rich, densely vegetated areas of lagoon and seaward reefs. As a bottom searcher it feeds on small invertebrates. The doublebar goatfish is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Doublebar goatfish?

The Doublebar goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. A pair of long chin barbels for probing the bottom; dark vertical bars on the hind body.

Where does the Doublebar goatfish live?

The Doublebar goatfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indian Ocean; lagoon and seaward coral reefs.

How big does the Doublebar goatfish get?

The Doublebar goatfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 27 cm.

Is the Doublebar goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Doublebar goatfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Doublebar goatfish edible?

Yes, the Doublebar goatfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Doublebar goatfish (Parupeneus trifasciatus) — Mullidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Doublebar goatfish (Parupeneus trifasciatus) — Mullidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Richard Ling (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Doublebar goatfish (Parupeneus trifasciatus) — Mullidae — 4
Dev Simpkins (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Doublebar goatfish (Parupeneus trifasciatus) — Mullidae — 5
aitorindo (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Doublebar goatfish verified
Scientific name
Parupeneus trifasciatus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Doublebar goatfish; Goatfish; Indian doublebar goatfish; Threebar goatfish; Two barred goatfish; Two-barred goatfish; Twosaddle goatfish; Two-saddle goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Average length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Indian Ocean; lagoon and seaward coral reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
A pair of long chin barbels for probing the bottom; dark vertical bars on the hind body. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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