Vanuatu goatfish

📖 Overview

Vanuatu goatfish (Upeneus vanuatu) 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 cm. It occurs at depths between 191 and 321 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal fins VIII + 9; pectoral fins 14-16; gill rakers 7–8 + 19-20 = 27-28; measurements in % SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 21-25; body depth at anus 17-19; caudal-peduncle depth 7.9-8.4; maximum head depth 18-23; head depth through eye 14-18; interorbital length 7.0-7.6; head length 29-32; orbit length 7.4-10; upper jaw length 11-13; barbel length 16-22; interdorsal distance 13-15; caudal-fin length 27-28; anal-fin height 14-17; pelvic-fin length 17-19; pectoral-fin length 21–24; first dorsal-fin height 19-20; second dorsal-fin height 15-17; total number of oblique caudal-fin bars 7, with 4 dark bars on upper caudal-fin lobe (including one bar close to rear end of lateral line) and 3 dark bars on lower caudal-fin lobe; bars differ in colour intensity and width; barbels white; no lateral body stripes; head and body pale rose, dorsally reddish and belly whitish; preserved fish pale brown, caudal-fin bars and black dorsal-fin tips retained .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Vanuatu goatfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 191 - 321 m . Tropical; 15°S - 16°S, 166°E - 167°E South Pacific; depth range 191–321 m.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute