Dotdash goatfish

📖 Overview

One of the most abundant species of Parupeneus . Adults, solitary or in small groups inhabit large sand patches as well as sand and rubble areas of reef flats, and lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of about 100 m. Juveniles usually in small groups, often mixed with other species in sparse seagrass habitats . Adults forage on sand-dwelling invertebrates like polychaete worms and crustaceans. Feeding is diurnal; from 19 adult specimens for food-habit study, the prey in order by volume in the stomachs: crabs (portunid, anomuran, xanthid, and raninid), worms (mainly polychaetes but also sipunculids and unidentified), small bivalve molluscs, brachiopods, shrimps, small gastropods, isopods, amphipods, foraminifera, and a small unidentified eel . Individuals from Palau and eastern Carolines often have a yellow band immediately above the broad black band extending behind the eye . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. This species is distinguished by the following characters: pectoral rays 16-18 (usually 17); gill rakers 6-7 + 20-25 = 26-31; body moderately elongate, depth 3.3-3.7 in SL; head length (HL) 2.6-3.0 in SL; snout length 1.45-2.1 in HL (relatively longer with growth); barbel length 1.4-1.6 in HL; longest dorsal spine 1.15-1.75 in HL (longer with growth); penultimate dorsal soft ray about equal to last ray in young, 1.2 in last ray in large adults; pectoral fins 1.5-1.75 in HL; pelvic fins 1.35-1.6 in HL. Colour of body whitish with a dark brown to black stripe (red on fish in deeper water) from upper lip through eye to below posterior part of second dorsal fin or anteriorly on upper caudal peduncle; body above stripe yellow or yellowish gray; body below whitish, scale edges narrowly gray to brownish red; a black or red spot larger than eye at the midbase of caudal fin; some large adults with centers of scales below dark stripe pale blue, the edges yellow or with yellow spots, especially posteriorly; peritoneum dark brown .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Dotdash goatfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Dotdash goatfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Mature individuals migrate shoreward to spawn and feed . Some immature Individuals with size ranging from 16.1 to 22.5 cm FL from this study are bisexual, however, this species is classified as a functional gonochore .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m . Tropical; 34°N - 34°S, 22°E - 134°W south on the east coast of Africa to Mossel Bay, South Africa, east to the islands of Micronesia, Line Islands, Marquesas Islands, and Tuamotu Archipelago; and from southern Japan to Australia and New Caledonia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Dotdash goatfish is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Dotdash goatfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 33 records indexed .

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