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Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) — Mullidae

Dwarf Goatfish

Upeneus parvus
Family: Mullidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Warm Atlantic Ocean; muddy and sandy bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The smallscale goatfish is a goatfish (Mullidae) from warm parts of the Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has an elongate, pale body with yellowish tints and bears a pair of long barbels under the chin. It lives on mud and sand bottoms of coastal waters; juveniles up to about eight centimetres swim in open water. With its barbels it probes the bottom for small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf Goatfish?

The Dwarf Goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. A pair of long chin barbels for probing the bottom; small goatfish of coastal waters.

Where does the Dwarf Goatfish live?

The Dwarf Goatfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Warm Atlantic Ocean; muddy and sandy bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Dwarf Goatfish get?

The Dwarf Goatfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Dwarf Goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf Goatfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Dwarf Goatfish edible?

Yes, the Dwarf Goatfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) — Mullidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) clcscience, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) — Mullidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jon McIntyre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) — Mullidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Noah D, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dwarf Goatfish (Upeneus parvus) — Mullidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jon McIntyre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf Goatfish verified
Scientific name
Upeneus parvus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Dwarf goatfish; Goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
Warm Atlantic Ocean; muddy and sandy bottoms of coastal waters. 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; small goatfish of coastal waters. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Upeneus

More from the family Mullidae

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