Spotted goatfish (Atlantic) (Pseudupeneus maculatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pseudupeneus maculatus
- Common name
- Spotted goatfish (Atlantic)
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Mullidae
- Genus
- Pseudupeneus
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 2–90 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific
Description
Pseudupeneus maculatus reaches 30 cm. West tropical Atlantic Mullidae (Caribbean, Florida, Gulf of Mexico) extending to tropical East Atlantic (Brazil, West Africa). Pink-white to yellow-pink body with 3 large distinctive black spots on flanks (hence maculatus), two long chin barbels characteristic of Mullidae. Lives in schools from 2 to 90 m on sands and coral reefs. Typical Mullidae behavior: probes sands with barbels to detect buried invertebrates. Caribbean cousin of West African P. prayensis (chunk 1 of this batch). Discreet photo subject in schools.
Photo of Spotted goatfish (Atlantic)
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Spotted goatfish (Atlantic)?
- Spotted goatfish (Atlantic) (Pseudupeneus maculatus) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Spotted goatfish (Atlantic)?
- Spotted goatfish (Atlantic) is found between 2–90 m deep.
- Is the Spotted goatfish (Atlantic) dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Spotted goatfish (Atlantic)?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Spotted goatfish (Atlantic)?
- Found in: Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Pseudupeneus
Other species in the family Mullidae
- Mullus surmuletus - Striped red mullet
- Mullus barbatus - Red mullet
- Mulloidichthys martinicus - Yellow Goatfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 159421)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2396813)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia