| Mullidae (Goatfishes) |
| 22.3 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 40 - 81 m |
| Western Indian Ocean: South Africa and Madagascar. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 16 or 17 pectoral-fin rays; 6 + 21 or 22 gill rakers; body depth 2.8-2.9 in SL; head length 2.8-2.9 in SL; snout length 1.8-1.85 in HL; posterior margin of maxilla symmetrically convex; barbels 1.3-1.35 in HL; third dorsal spine longest, 1.8-2.0 in HL; longest dorsal ray 3.15-3.3 in HL; penultimate dorsal-fin ray only slightly shorter than last ray; pectoral-fin length 1.2-1.25 in HL; pelvic-fin length 1.35-1.5 in HL; in life, has an orange-yellow stripe following lateral line with body above the stripe pale brown and below stripe white with light blue iridescence centrally in each scale, posteriorly becoming a smaller, more defined spot; scale edges narrowly dark; upper end of gill opening with a dark brown spot about half pupil diameter in height; faint oblique blue lines anterior and posterior to eye; second dorsal and anal fins with wavy blue lines; caudal fin with iridescent blue longitudinal streaks; pectoral fins with a light red bar at base; white barbels (Ref. 82839). |
| Inhabits sand bottom areas near edge of low profile reefs, usually solitary, occasionally in loose pairs (Ref. 82839). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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