Mascarene goatfish
📖 Overview
Mascarene goatfish (Upeneus mascareinsis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Mullidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 18 cm. It occurs at depths between 100 and 400 metres. With a trophic level of 3.5, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VIII,9; pectoral fins 15-16; gill rakers 7-8 + 19-22 = 26-29; lateral line scales 35-38; body depth at first dorsal fin origin 22-26% SL and at anus 18-22% SL; caudal-peduncle depth 8.3-9.3% SL; maximum head depth 20-24% SL; head depth through eye 17-19% SL; head length 30-34%SL; orbit length 7.7-11% SL; upper jaw length 12-14% SL; barbel length 18-24% SL; caudal-fin length 27-31% SL; anal-fin height 13-16% SL; pelvic-fin length 20-24% SL; pectoral-fin length 21-24% SL; first dorsal-fin height 19-23% SL; second dorsal-fin height 15-16% SL; 7-10 total bars on caudal fin, 3-6 pale brown bars proximally to dark brown or black at distal margin on upper caudal-fin lobe, 3-4 brown bars on lower lobe, becoming darker distally, the last 2 completely dark brown or black with bars slightly increasing in width distally, small bar on tip; width of largest lower caudal-fin lobe bar and/or space between distal-most bars less than orbit; lateral body stripes absent; tip of first dorsal-fin dark; barbels white; body white ventrally and rose-red laterally, becoming dorsally darker with some gold iridescence along dorsal flanks and a darkened saddle behind second dorsal fin; body uniformly brown or little darker dorsally, bars and black first dorsal-fin tip retained in preserved fish .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mascarene goatfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 100 - 400 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Madagascar, Mozambique, Réunion, Western Indonesia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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