Home · Mullidae · Bigscale goatfish
Bigscale goatfish (Pseudupeneus grandisquamis) — Mullidae

Bigscale goatfish

Pseudupeneus grandisquamis
Family: Mullidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigscale goatfish (Pseudupeneus grandisquamis) is a saltwater fish of the family Mullidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–67.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The bigscale goatfish is a goatfish of the family Mullidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a reddish to silvery body with relatively large scales, to which the name refers. Characteristic is a pair of long barbels under the chin, with which it probes the soft bottom for prey. Adults inhabit sand and mud bottoms near the coast but also deeper water. As a bottom searcher it feeds on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms. The bigscale goatfish is a valued food and bycatch fish. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigscale goatfish?

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

Where does the Bigscale goatfish live?

The Bigscale goatfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bigscale goatfish get?

The Bigscale goatfish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Bigscale goatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigscale goatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bigscale goatfish edible?

Yes, the Bigscale goatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootschub-zeebarbeel sourced
English name
Bigscale goatfish verified
Scientific name
Pseudupeneus grandisquamis
Family
Mullidae
Other names
Bigscale goatfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
67.0 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
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Pseudupeneus

More from the family Mullidae

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