20 photos - 12 species
Introduction
There are over 80 species, including around 30 species in Indonesia alone.
The barb-like beard that gives them their name is something like an external tongue.
The two whiskers are packed with sensory cells.
They use them to "sniff" through the sand in search of food.
They grow between 7 and 60 cm long, depending on the species.
Mulloidichthys flavolineatus
Yellowstripe goatfish
Maximum length: 43 cm
Depth: 1 - 35 m
Dark spot on the yellow stripe.
Found in shallow sandy areas of lagoons and outer reefs.
During the day they can often be seen hovering inactive
in the open water in shoals of up to 1000 animals.
Searches for food at night.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Mulloidichthys martinicus
Yellow goatfish or Yellowsaddle
Maximum length: 39 cm
Depth: 2 - 70 m
There are two barbels below the tip of the chin.
The caudal fin and the yellow stripe in the centre of the body are yellow.
White body, with the upper half of the body showing olive to red shades.
The barbels are used to search for food in the sand.
Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Photo 2 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
Yellofin goatfish
Maximum length: 38 cm
Depth: 2- 25 m
Tail fin and centre stripe are yellow and it has two barbels below the tip of the chin.
Eats alone or joins together in small groups.
Swims in large shoals over the reefs when not feeding.
Not shy, only swim away when harassed.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Parupeneus barberinoides
Bicolor goatfish
Maximum length: 20 cm
Depth: 3 - 40 m
Smallest species of this genus, solitary.
They can be found on rocky slopes with corals and algae.
Photo 1 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines
Parupeneus barberinus
Dash-and-dot goatfish
Maximum length: 60 cm
Depth: 1 - 100 m
Large black spot at the base of the tail.
It is the largest of the barbels.
During the day it searches for bottom-dwelling invertebrates individually
or in small groups, at night it rests individually on the bottom.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Parupeneus cyclostomus
Gold-saddle goatfish, Blue goatfish or Yellowsaddle goatfish
Maximum length: 50 cm
Depth: 1 - 95 m
Yellow body or blue-grey with yellow saddle.
On sand, rubble and over coral.
Feeds mainly on fish, which it seeks out with its barbels.
Photo 1 Astrid: Hurghada Egypt
Photos 2 - 3 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Parupeneus forsskali
Red sea goatfish
Maximum length: 28 cm
Depth - 1 - 30 m
Black spot on the base of the tail.
Very similar to the barbel, but only half the size.
Not shy.
Photo 1 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Parupeneus macronemus ( Kurzstreifen - Meerbarbe )
Long-barbel goatfish
Maximum length: 30 cm
Depth: 1 - 35 m
The base of the second dorsal fin is black.
Lives on sand or rubble in bays, lagoons and outer reefs.
Not very shy.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt
Parupeneus multifasciatus
Manybar goatfish
Maximum length: 35 cm
Depth: 2 - 35 m
Photo 1 Johnny: Bali Indonesia
Parupeneus trifasciatus
Doublebar goatfish
Maximum length: 35 cm
Depth: 1 - 80 m
Often observed in larger schools.
This species, which occurs in the Indian Ocean, has two distinct dark spots.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi
Pseudupeneus maculatus
Spotted goatfish
Maximum length: 28 cm
Depth: 2 - 20 metres
When they are active, 3 dark rectangular spots are normally visible,
during the resting phase their colouring changes very quickly
to a mottled or speckled reddish-brown, see the barbel on the right.
This species also only swims away when harassed.
Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean
Upeneus tragula
Freckled goatfish
Maximum length: 30 cm
Depth: 3 - 30 m
Nearshore reef slopes and lagoons.
It can quickly change its colouring by showing a dark longitudinal stripe.
Adults normally travel in small groups.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi