Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Mulloidichthys Higher classification Mulloidichthys | Phylum Chordata Family Mullidae Scientific name Mulloidichthys martinicus Rank Species | |
Similar Goatfish, Mulloidichthys, Pseudupeneus maculatus, Parupeneus, Pseudupeneus |
Deep south red sea yellow goatfish school eating on reef
The yellow goatfish (Mulloidichthys martinicus), also known as yellowsaddle, is a species of goatfish native to the Atlantic Ocean around the coasts of Africa and the Americas. This species can reach a length of 39.4 centimetres (15.5 in) TL, but most reach lengths only around 28 centimetres (11 in). They are of minor importance to local commercial fisheries, even though they have been reported to carry the ciguatera toxin.
Contents
14 schooling yellow goatfish 2q
Habits
Yellow goatfish are benthic feeders, using a pair of long chemosensory barbels ("whiskers") protruding from their chins to rifle through the sediments in search of a meal. They usually feed on smaller fish, hunting in a school during the day, and alone at night.
Distribution
The yellow goatfish can be found on reefs in the tropical waters in the Atlantic around the United States, in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and around Cape Verde.