Australian goatfish
📖 Overview
Subadults and adults of this species occur at relatively shallow depths of the upper shelf and usually around 20-30 m . Adults feed mainly on shrimp (47%).
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7; Vertebrae: 24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VII + 9; pectoral fins 13-15; gill rakers 5-7 + 16-19 = 22-25. Adult measurements in %SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 23-27 and at anus 20-23; caudal-peduncle depth 9.9-12; maximum head depth 20-22, while head depth through eye 15-18; head length 27-30; orbit length 6.0-8.0; upper jaw length 9.3-12; barbel length 16-20; caudal-fin length 27-32; anal-fin height 15-18; pelvic-fin length 20-23; pectoral-fin length 19-22; first dorsal-fin height 18-23 and second dorsal-fin height 14-18. Colouration: caudal fin with 7-13 bars in total, the upper caudal-fin lobe with 5-6 brown or black bars close to fin base, its width similar or narrower than the pale interspaces between bars; and the lower lobe with 6-8 bars of similar width as those on upper lobe, pale interspaces narrower and the 2-3 distal-most bars (one on tip) darker and wider; these caudal-fin lobe bars are mostly well-retained in preserved fish, especially on dorsal side of lower lobe; barbels are white; body and head white-silvery or pale beige, dark beige above lateral line, with a yellow-orange lateral body stripe from behind eye to caudal fin base in fresh fish; when preserved the body is pale brown and darkened dorsally . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Australian goatfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 3 - 82 m , usually 20 - 30 m . Tropical Indian Ocean and Western Pacific: Australia and off New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
shrimp (47%)
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Australian 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
Detailed nutritional data for Australian goatfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Australian 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 | Australian Goatfish · Gold-band Orange-barred Goatfish |
| 🌍CES | parmice australská |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Triglia dorata australiana |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Trilha-australiano |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 澳大利亞緋鯉 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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