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Mulliformes (Goatfishes) >
Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Etymology: Mulloidichthys: Latin, mullus = soft + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335); ayliffe: Named for Neville Ayliffe, specimen collector of this species; noun in apposition.
Eponymy: Neville Ayliffe was a dive operator at Sodwana. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Issue
FishBase common name changed from Indian mimic goatfish to Ayliffe's goatfish (Uiblein et al., 2024: Ref. 130857).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 35 m (Ref. 90102). Tropical
Indian Ocean: Arabian Sea, south to Seychelles, east coast of Africa to South Africa; east to Myanmar. Arabian region from western Gulf of Aden (Gulf of Tadjoura, Socotra Archipelago and Oman.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 24.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 86817)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Inhabits rocky reefs and coral areas. Mimics and aggregates with Lutjanus kasmira during the day. Disperses at night to feed.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Uiblein, F., 2011. Taxonomic review of Western Indian Ocean goatfishes of the genus Mulloidichthys (Family Mullidae), with description of a new species and remarks on colour and body form variation in Indo-West Pacific species. Smithiana Bulletin 13:51-73. (Ref. 86817)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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