Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
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Order : Perciformes
Family
: MULLIDAE
Species : 88 species, in 6 genera (as of 2019)
Maximum Length : 60 cm
Goatfishes (or 'red
mullets') occur in tropical waters throughout Southeast Asia, and the range
of many species extends into the Indian and Pacific oceans. Some species
also occur in the Atlantic ocean.
As of 2019,
Fishbase lists 88 species in 6 genera.
The Yellowstripe Goatfish Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, featured
here, occurs widely in Southeast Asia waters: it typically reaches up to 25 cm, but has been recorded up to 43
cm. The largest species of goatfish reach up to 60 cm.
All goatfishes have relatively slender bodies, deeply forked tails and a
sloping forehead. They exhibit a variety of colours and patterning, and many
species have lateral
stripes. They are able to vary their colouration depending on their
activity or on the characteristics of their habitat. For example, some
appear pale in colour when swimming in direct sunlight (see Figure 2) but
become darker and mottled when sheltering beneath coral (see Figure 3).
All members of the group possess a pair of highly sensitive chin barbels
which are used to probe for prey items within the substrate (see Figures 1
and 2). When not feeding on the seabed, these barbels are held close to the
underside of the head, and are consequently difficult to see in photographs.
The barbels are also used by males during courtship.
Prey items comprise benthic invertebrates, such as molluscs, shrimps, crabs
and worms, and occasionally small fish.
Their feeding behaviour gives them a role as 'ecosystem engineers': whilst
foraging for food they disturb fine-grained sediments that may become
suspended in the water column and drift to other locations if there are
currents (Uiblein, 2007).
Goatfishes often form small groups sheltering on the seabed, but they may also
occur in large shoals. Most species occur in shallow seas, but others are
known from waters hundreds of metres deep. Fertlised eggs of goatfishes are
buoyant, and are easily dispersed by surface currents, as are their larval
forms.
In some places, for example the Hawaiian Islands and the Mediterranean Sea,
goatfishes are widely consumed by local people.
Figs 1 and 2 : Yellowstripe Goatfish Mulloidichthys flavolineatus
on coral sand substrate, with barbels extended. Note how the fish is
pale in colour, to make it less visible against the pale sand.
Fig 3 : Small shoal of Yellowstripe Goatfish sheltering beneath a piece
of coral rubble: note how the fish immediately beneath the coral rubble
is darker than the others, and the fish in full sunlight (top right) is the
palest.
Fig 4 : Small group sheltering in the shade of a mangrove tree.
All images from Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
References : F3
Uiblein, F. (2007). Goatfishes (Mullidae) as indicators in tropical and
temperate coastal habitat monitoring and management. Marine Biology
Research, 3(5), 275-288.
Links :
Fishbase
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