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Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus ciliatus) — Mullidae

Blacksaddle goatfish

Parupeneus ciliatus
Family: Mullidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blacksaddle goatfish (Parupeneus ciliatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The whitesaddle goatfish is a goatfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 38 cm and has a red-brown to olive body with a pale stripe and a dark saddle blotch near the tail, and a pair of long chin barbels with which it probes sand and crevices for food. As a bottom-dweller it searches over reef and sand bottoms for small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. It is a valued food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacksaddle goatfish?

The Blacksaddle goatfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blacksaddle goatfish live?

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

How big does the Blacksaddle goatfish get?

The Blacksaddle goatfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Blacksaddle goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacksaddle goatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Blacksaddle goatfish edible?

Yes, the Blacksaddle goatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartzadel-koraalmeerval verified
English name
Blacksaddle goatfish verified
Scientific name
Parupeneus ciliatus
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Blackspot goatfish; Cardinal goatfish; Diamondscale goatfish; Goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlijnen sourced
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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