Animal Species:Goldsaddle Goatfish, Parupeneus cyclostomus (Lacépède, 1801)

The Goldsaddle Goatfish occurs on coral reefs and inshore waters of tropical and some temperate marine waters. The species has two colour varieties.

Goldsaddle Goatfish at the Cod Hole

Goldsaddle Goatfish at the Cod Hole
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Bright Goatfish, Bright-saddled Goatfish, Red Mullet, Surmullet, Yellow Goatfish, Yellow-saddle Goatfish

Identification

The Goldsaddle Goatfish has two colour varieties. One is purplish-pink or grey with blue markings on the scales and a yellow saddle on the caudal peduncle. The second is entirely yellow.

Size range

The species grows to about 50 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in the Indo-West and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from central to north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to central New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Goldsaddle Goatfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs primarily over sandy substrates on coral reefs and inshore waters.

Feeding and Diet

Fishes comprise up to 70% of the food intake of the Goldsaddle Goatfish. This is unusually high compared with the diets of other goatfishes.

Classification

Species:
cyclostomus
Genus:
Parupeneus
Family:
Mullidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific: New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands.University of Hawai'i Press. Pp. 584.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Goldsaddle Goatfish, Parupeneus cyclostomus, Mullidae,