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Bicolor goatfish (Parupeneus barberinoides) — Mullidae

Bicolor goatfish

Parupeneus barberinoides
Family: Mullidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor goatfish (Parupeneus barberinoides) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bicolor goatfish is a goatfish (Mullidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a strikingly bicoloured body: the front is red-brown, the rear whitish with a yellow tail, and it has a pair of long chin barbels with which it searches the sediment. Adults live solitarily, juveniles in schools, usually near coral reefs in protected waters such as bays and lagoons. It feeds on small benthic invertebrates. The species is a food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor goatfish?

The Bicolor goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bicolor goatfish live?

The Bicolor goatfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bicolor goatfish get?

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

Is the Bicolor goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor goatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bicolor goatfish edible?

Yes, the Bicolor goatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweekleur-koraalmeerbarbeel sourced
English name
Bicolor goatfish verified
Scientific name
Parupeneus barberinoides
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Bicolor goatfish; Bicolour goatfish; Bicolour 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
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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