Ochre-banded goatfish
📖 Overview
Ochre-banded goatfish (Upeneus sundaicus) 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 22 cm. It occurs at depths between 20 and 60 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. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VIII,9; pectoral fins 13-14; gill rakers 4-5 + 14-15 = 18-20; lateral line scales 31-34; body depth at first dorsal fin origin 25-28% SL and at anal-fin origin 22-24% SL; caudal-peduncle depth 11-13% SL; maximum head depth 21-23% SL; head depth through eye 17-20% SL; head length 27-30%SL; orbit length 6.1-7.2% SL; upper jaw length 11-12% SL; barbel length 18-21% SL; caudal-fin length 26-29% SL; anal-fin height 16-18% SL; pelvic-fin length 20-23% SL; pectoral-fin length 21-23% SL; first dorsal-fin height 25-29% SL; second dorsal-fin height 16-18% SL; 5-6 weak, red or grey bars on upper caudal fin lobe (not retained on preserved fish); no bars on lower lobe, fully to partly covered with a reddish or greyish band (lost in preserved fish); a pale brown mid-lateral body stripe from behind eye to caudal-fin base (sometimes retained in preserved fish); no dark dorsal-fin tip; yellow barbels when fresh; body reddish or dark grey dorsally, whitish-rose ventrally; head with red or grey pigmentation at snout and above eyes (body may darken dorsally in preserved fish .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Ochre-banded goatfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Ochre-banded goatfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Ochre-banded goatfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 20 - 60 m . Tropical West Pacific: Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, extending eastward to Indonesia.
🌿 Ecology
benthic animals (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Ochre-banded 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 Ochre-banded goatfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Ochre-banded goatfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Goatfish · Ochre-banded Goatfish · Ochreband goatfish · Ochrebanded Goatfish · Red band goatfish · Sunda goatfish · Yellowfin goatfish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | سمك الماعز أمغر الخطوط |
| 🌍CES | parmice okropruhá |
| 🌍JAV | Kakunir · Kuniran |
| 🌍MAL | Manakkam · മണക്കം |
| 🌍MSA | Butir nangka |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Охровополосая козобородка |
| 🌍TGL | Manitis · Yangutan |
| 🌍THA | ปลาแพะซุนดา |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennon armatoides | Whitley | 1955 | Synonym |
| Upeneoides sundaicus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
| Upeneus sundaecus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 6 records indexed .
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