Long-barbel goatfish

📖 Overview

Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs to over 25 m . Found on sandy or weedy bottoms ; rarely at depths of more than 40 meters . Usually seen solitary but often several individuals nearby . Feeds mainly on crustaceans and worms .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. Diagnosis: Pectoral rays 15-17 (usually 16). Gill rakers 7-9 + 27-30 (total 34-39). Body moderately elongate, the depth 3.3-3.7 in SL; head length (HL) 2.8-3.2 in SL; snout length 1.7-1.9 in HL; barbels long, their length 1.1-1.25 in HL; longest dorsal spine 1.45-1.75 in HL; penultimate ray of second dorsal fin of adults 1.25-1.6 in last dorsal ray, the last ray relatively longer with growth; pectoral fins 1.3-1.5 in HL; pelvic fins 1.2-1.45 in HL. Body gray to grayish red dorsally, whitish to pink ventrally, with a black stripe from eye along lateral line to anterior part of caudal peduncle; a roundish black spot larger than eye on side of peduncle about two-thirds above lateral line; a broad white zone extending anterior to peduncular spot to below posterior part of second dorsal fin; a vertical pale blue line or spot often present on scales below black stripe; a dusky band often present on snout from eye to side of upper lip; barbels white; first dorsal and caudal fins reddish gray; basal one-third to one-half of second dorsal fin black, the dark pigment continuing to end of last ray and adjacent membrane; outer part of fin with narrow pale blue and yellow stripes; anal fin dusky yellow with faint narrow pale blue stripes . Pale area at end of black stripe and dusky basal stripe in second dorsal fin distinguished it from the similar P. barberinus .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Long-barbel goatfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 40 m . Tropical; 30°N - 31°S, 30°E - 154°E West Pacific: Red Sea and Persian Gulf south to Natal, South Africa extending east to Indonesia and the Philippines.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Long-barbel goatfish is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient	Amount
Protein	17.9 g
Omega-3 (total)	116 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Long-barbel 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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language	Common Names
🇬🇧English	Band-dot goatfish · Dot and dash goatfish · Long-barbel goatfish, Longbarbel goatfish · Long-barbeled goatfish · long-barbel goatfish · longbarbel goatfish · longbarbeled goatfish · longrayed goatfish
🇫🇷French	Capucin à longs barbillons · Capucin à longs barbillons, Rouget-barbet bandeau · Rouget à longs barbillons · Rouget-barbé bandeau · Surmulet à bandes noires

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

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