Home · Mullidae · Orange goatfish
Orange goatfish (Mulloidichthys pfluegeri) — Mullidae

Orange goatfish

Mulloidichthys pfluegeri
Family: Mullidae

The Orange goatfish (Mulloidichthys pfluegeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–110.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia, Guam and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Orange goatfish?

Get the app

Description

The orange goatfish is a goatfish (Mullidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, orange-pink body and a pair of long chin barbels with which it probes sand and reef bottoms for prey. As a bottom-oriented reef-dweller it searches, often in groups, for small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange goatfish?

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

Where does the Orange goatfish live?

The Orange goatfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia, Guam and others

How big does the Orange goatfish get?

The Orange goatfish grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Orange goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange 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 Orange goatfish edible?

Yes, the Orange goatfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Orange goatfish (Mulloidichthys pfluegeri) — Mullidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Orange goatfish (Mulloidichthys pfluegeri) — Mullidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Drake Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange goatfish (Mulloidichthys pfluegeri) — Mullidae — 4
John E. Randall (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Orange goatfish (Mulloidichthys pfluegeri) — Mullidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Orange goatfish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Orange goatfish sourced
Scientific name
Mulloidichthys pfluegeri
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Orange goatfish; Pflueger's Goatfish; Pfluger's goatfish; Red weke; Rosy goatfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
110.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas Is., French Polynesia, Guam 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 Mulloidichthys

More from the family Mullidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Orange goatfish?

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

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