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Yellow Goatfish
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (Valenciennes, 1831)
A Yellow Goatfish at a depth of 14m, "Temple of Doom", Ribbon Reefs, Queensland, December 2000. View larger image.
The Yellow Goatfish can be recognised by the barbels (glossary) on its chin and colouration.
It is white to pale pink with a blue-margined yellow stripe from the eye to the caudal peduncle. All the median fins and pelvic fins are yellow.
This species grows to 38cm in length.
It is usually seen in aggregations during the day, and feeding singly at night.
The Yellow Goatfish is found widely in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from most tropical waters and down the east coast to central New South Wales.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
