SAIAB goatfish
📖 Overview
SAIAB goatfish (Upeneus saiab) 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 10.2 cm. It occurs at depths between 29 and 40 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VII + 9; pectoral fins 14-15; gill rakers 8-9 + 20-21 = 29; lateral-line scales 29-30; body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 21-24; body depth at anus 17-19; caudal-peduncle depth 8.7-9.2; maximum head depth 18-20; head depth through eye 15-17; interorbital length 7.0-8.2; head length 29-30; postorbital distance 12-13; orbit length 6.8-7.5; upper jaw length 9.5-12; barbel length 19-22; interdorsal distance 14-16; caudal-fin length 27-29; anal-fin height 14-16; pelvic-fin length 20-21; pectoral-fin length 20-21; first dorsal-fin height 19-22; second dorsal-fin height 14-16; pigmentation and colour when fresh: upper lobe of caudal fin with 5 red oblique bars including one on tip; lower caudal-fin lobe covered mostly with red pigmentation ending in a black tip; barbels white; body and postorbital region ventrally white and dorsally ochre, bordered at mid body by a faint lateral pale ochre stripe from behind eye to caudal base, head ochre from snout to cheek and ventrally white; preserved fish pale brown, bars on upper caudal-fin lobe and the lower lobe pigmented tip only weakly retained .Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for SAIAB goatfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 29 - 40 m . Subtropical Indian Ocean, Mozambique.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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