West African goatfish (Pseudupeneus prayensis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pseudupeneus prayensis
- Common name
- West African goatfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Mullidae
- Genus
- Pseudupeneus
- Size
- 25–60 cm
- Depth
- 0–110 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Pseudupeneus prayensis reaches 60 cm. West African goatfish (Mullidae) with elongated pink-white body with 3 diffuse red-orange transverse bands on flanks, two characteristic long sensitive chin barbels used by Mullidae to probe sands searching for invertebrates. Lives in schools from 0 to 110 m on sandy bottoms, mud and rocky areas of tropical East Atlantic (Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea to Angola). Cousin of Caribbean Pseudupeneus maculatus (batch 17 also) and Mediterranean Mullus surmuletus. Important commercial fishery. School photo subject.
Photo of West African goatfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the West African goatfish?
- West African goatfish (Pseudupeneus prayensis) reaches 25–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the West African goatfish?
- West African goatfish is found between 0–110 m deep.
- Is the West African goatfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the West African goatfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the West African goatfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
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 126987)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2396810)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia