Swahili goatfish
📖 Overview
Swahili goatfish (Upeneus suahelicus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Mullidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 13.5 cm. It occurs at depths between 20 and 99 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, 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 6-8 + 19-21 = 26-28; lateral line scales 34-35; body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 26-30% SL and at anal-fin origin 22-26% SL; caudal-peduncle depth 9.9-11% SL; maximum head depth 22-25% SL; head depth through eye 17-19% SL; head length 28-31%SL; orbit length 7.1-9.4% SL; upper jaw length 12-14% SL; barbel length 15-20% SL; caudal-fin length 26-30% SL; anal-fin height 15-17% SL; pelvic-fin length 18-21% SL; pectoral-fin length 25-26% SL; first dorsal-fin height 22-26% SL; second dorsal-fin height 16-18% SL; 8-10 total bars on caudal fin, 4-6 brown bars on upper caudal-fin lobe, 3-4 of same color on lower lobe with the 3 proximal bars on upper lobe slightly curved with caudal-fin bars and white interspaces nearly equal width in width; in preserved specimens, all bars entirely retained. Fresh fish with 2 yellow or pale brown lateral body stripes, one close to lateral line, reaching from behind head to caudal-fin base, and another one below, starting behind pectoral-fin base; tip of first dorsal-fin dark, also in preserved fish; barbels white; head and body silvery white laterally and reddish-brown darker dorsally, belly white; in preserved fish, body pale brown, sometimes dorsally darkened .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Swahili goatfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Swahili goatfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Swahili goatfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 99 m . Tropical South Africa, Eritrea (Red Sea).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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