---
title: Goatfishes (Mullidae)
scientific_name: Mullidae
common_name: Goatfishes
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-08T12:52:19.573Z
tags: Goatfishes, Mullidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes
---

# Goatfishes (*Mullidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Mullidae
- **Body shape:** Elongate - Long and slender, but still fish-shaped - trumpetfishes, needlefishes, cornetfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 9

## How to recognise this group

- elongated body
- pair of long barbels protruding from chin
- two widely separated dorsal fins
- forked tail fin
- often probing sandy bottoms or crevices with barbels

Goatfishes are characterized by their elongated bodies, two widely separated dorsal fins, and a deeply forked caudal fin. A distinctive pair of long, chemosensory barbels projects from the chin, used to probe substrates for food, and giving the group its common name due to their resemblance to a goat's beard. Many species display rapid color changes, adapting their patterns to blend with their surroundings. Most species grow to 20-40 cm (8-16 in) in length, though the largest, such as the Dash-and-dot Goatfish, can reach up to 60 cm (24 in).

These common benthic feeders inhabit sandy and rubble bottoms, as well as reef flats, from shallow waters to depths of around 100 meters (330 ft). They forage by actively sweeping their barbels over and into the sediment to locate worms, crustaceans, mollusks, and other small invertebrates. While many species school during the day, often alongside other fish species, some are solitary nocturnal foragers. Actively feeding goatfishes are frequently followed by other fish, which opportunistically snatch prey disturbed or overlooked by the barbels.


## Species (9)

- [Dotdash goatfish (Parupeneus barberinus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/dotdash-goatfish)
- [Goldsaddle Goatfish (Parupeneus cyclostomus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/goldsaddle-goatfish)
- [Por’s Goatfish (Upeneus pori)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/pors-goatfish)
- [Red Sea Goatfish (Parupeneus forsskali)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/red-sea-goatfish)
- [Redspot Goatfish (Parupeneus heptacanthus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/redspot-goatfish)
- [Rosy Goatfish (Parupeneus rubescens)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/rosy-goatfish)
- [Striped Goatfish (Upeneus vittatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/striped-goatfish)
- [Yellowfin Goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/yellowfin-goatfish)
- [Yellowstripe Goatfish (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/yellowstripe-goatfish)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes)*
*Updated: August 8, 2026*