The yellowfin goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) is a species of goatfish native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.[2]

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Yellowfin goatfish
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Mulloidichthys vanicolensis at Hurghada, Red Sea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Mullidae
Genus: Mulloidichthys
Species:
M. vanicolensis
Binomial name
Mulloidichthys vanicolensis
(Valenciennes, 1831)
Synonyms
  • Upeneus vanicolensis Valenciennes, 1831
  • Mulloides vanicolensis (Valenciennes, 1831)
  • Pseudopeneus vanicolensis (Valenciennes, 1831)
  • Pseudupeneus vanicolensis (Valenciennes, 1831)
  • Mulloides erythrinus Klunzinger, 1884
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Description

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Mulloidichthys vanicolensis sold in a fish market in New Caledonia

M. vanicolensis can reach a maximum length of 38 cm (15 in).[2] The back is red-orange, while the flanks and the belly are whitish and the fins are yellow. The sides show a yellow longitudinal band. This species feeds on crustaceans or worms at night. By day, it forms large aggregations.[2]

Distribution and habitat

These fish are widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Hawaii and the Tuamotus, north to Japan and to Lord Howe Island to the south.[2] The yellowfin goatfish is a reef-associated species. It usually can be found in lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of 1–113 m (3.3–370.7 ft).[2]

Parasites

Two genera of monogenean gill parasites, namely Volsellituba and Pennulituba, with a total of five different species, including V. orchidea, V. nabla, V. elephantina, P. piratifalx, and P. cymansis, have been reported from the yellowfin goatfish off New Caledonia, and were apparently found only on this species of fish.[3] The apocreadiid digenean Homalometron moraveci is found in the intestine.[4]

References

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