Yellowfin goatfish
📖 Overview
This occasionally schooling species inhabits sandy bottoms of reef flats, lagoons, coastal and seaward reefs . Benthopelagic . In large inactive aggregations by day, dispersing to sand flats to feed at night . Sometimes mixes with blue-striped snapper Lutjanus kasmira and shows blue stripes . Feeds on small worms and crustaceans. Also caught using ringnets . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. Back red-orange, sides and belly whitish; yellow longitudinal band present; no dark blotch on under middle of 1st dorsal fin . All fins yellow . Head length 2.9-3.4 in SL, length of snout 2.2.-2.6 and barbel 1.2-1.5 in HL. Body depth 3.4-4.5 in SL. : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Yellowfin goatfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 113 m . Tropical; 33°N - 34°S, 32°E - 109°W east to the Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands and Pitcairn Group, north to southern Japan, south to Joseph Bonaparte Gulf (northern in front of Western Australia), New South Wales (Australia), Lord Howe, Norfolk, Kermadec Islands, New Caledonia, Tonga and Gambier Islands (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small worms and crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Yellowfin goatfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 173 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Yellowfin goatfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Banded goatfish · Flame goatfish · Goatfish · Golden banded goatfish · Goldstripe goatfish · Red goatfish · Red weke · Vanikolo goatfish · Yellowfin Goatfish · Yellowstripe goatfish · goldenstripe goatfish · weke-'ula |
| 🇫🇷French | Capucin de Vanicolo · Capucin à nageoires jaunes · Surmulet à nageoires jaunes |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Akahimeji · アカヒメジ |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Salmonete vanicolense |
| 🌍TAH | 'ouma, taire, tau'o, vete |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 无斑拟羊鱼 · 無斑擬羊魚 · 秋姑 · 金帶擬鬚鯛 · 鬚哥 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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