Teleostei (teleosts) >
Mulliformes (Goatfishes) >
Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Etymology: Upeneus: Greek, ypene, -es = upper lip (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Poey.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 18 - 100 m (Ref. 5217), usually 40 - 70 m (Ref. 9626). Tropical; 37°N - 33°S, 98°W - 34°W
Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and Puerto Rico to Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref. 57756). Absent in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the western Caribbean (Ref. 26938).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 14.6 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26938); common length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3792); max. published weight: 180.00 g (Ref. 126891)
Found over mud and sand bottoms (Ref. 3792). Juveniles up to 8 cm are pelagic (Ref. 9626). Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 3792). Flesh considered good quality; marketed fresh and frozen (Ref. 3792). In southwestern Brazil found in 112 m depth (Ref. 47377).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
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