---
title: Goldsaddle Goatfish (Parupeneus cyclostomus)
scientific_name: Parupeneus cyclostomus
common_name: Goldsaddle Goatfish
taxon: Goatfishes
conservation_status: LC - Least Concern
published: 2024-05-20T23:09:17.750Z
updated: 2026-08-08T21:22:04.466Z
tags: Goldsaddle Goatfish, Parupeneus cyclostomus, Goatfishes, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/goatfishes/goldsaddle-goatfish
---

# Goldsaddle Goatfish (*Parupeneus cyclostomus*)

## Quick facts

- **Group:** Goatfishes (*Mullidae*)
- **Size:** 50 cm
- **Depth:** 1-95 m
- **Conservation status:** LC - Least Concern

Parupeneus cyclostomus, commonly referred to as the gold-saddle goatfish, blue goatfish, or yellowsaddle goatfish, is a species of goatfish native to the Indo-Pacific region. This species holds commercial significance and is also targeted for recreational fishing. However, it is important to note that it has been reported to carry the ciguatera toxin. Additionally, Parupeneus cyclostomus is available within the aquarium trade.

Typically, this species exhibits a coloration of yellow with a bluish sheen on the dorsal side, though a golden yellow variant exists. It can attain a total length of up to 50 cm (20 inches), although the majority of individuals do not exceed 35 cm (14 inches).

Parupeneus cyclostomus is commonly found either solitarily or in groups across all areas of coral reefs and detrital bottom zones, ranging from depths of 1 to 95 meters. Utilizing its barbels, the species probes holes and extracts prey. Geographically, it inhabits a wide range extending from the Red Sea to South Africa, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Ryukyu Islands.

## Also known as

- **English:** gold-saddle goatfish, Golden spotted goatfish, yellowsaddle goatfish
- **Arabic:** سمك الماعز أصفر السرج, سمك الماعز ذهبي السرج, سمك الماعز مشرق السرج
- **Hebrew:** בינתן עגול-פה
- **French:** Barbet à selle d'or, Barbillon à selle jaune, Poisson-chèvre à selle jaune
- **Italian:** Pesce capra coda gialla, Triglia a coda gialla, Pesce capra giallo
- **German:** Gelbe Meerbarbe, Gelbsattel-Meerbarbe
- **Portuguese:** Salmonete dourado
- **Dutch:** Citroenbarbeel
- **Czech:** parmice žlutosedlá
- **Japanese:** マルクチヒメジ, Marukuchi-himeji, Marukuchihimeji
- **Chinese:** 圓口副緋鯉, 圓口海緋鯉, 頭帶副緋鯉
- **Russian:** Золотистая зубатая барабуля
- **AF:** Goudsaal-bokvis
- **DA:** Guldsaddelmulle
- **DIV:** Reedhoo kalhu-oh
- **FIJ:** iosi damu, iosi
- **ID:** Ikan jangut, Jenggot kuning
- **JAV:** Kakunir, Kunir, Kuniran
- **MAH:** Jerabwe, Jerrobe
- **MAL:** മഞ്ഞല് മണക്കം, മഞ്ഞള് മണക്കം, Manjalmanakkam
- **MSA:** Biji nangka emas, Biji nangka karang, Biji nangka
- **SMO:** Moana
- **SOM:** Fangalaato
- **TAH:** Ahuru haravai, Haravai
- **TGL:** Dalagang bukid, Saging saging, Saramulyeteng hato
- **TH:** ปลาแพะหลากสี

## Scientific synonyms

- *Mullus chryserydros* Lacepède, 1801
- *Mullus cyclostomus* Lacepède, 1801
- *Mullus microps* Bliss, 1883
- *Mullus radiatus* Shaw, 1803
- *Parapeneus luteus* (Valenciennes, 1831)
- *Parupenaeus cyclostomus* (Lacepède, 1801)
- *Parupeneus chryserydros* (Lacepède, 1801)
- *Parupeneus luteus* (Valenciennes, 1831)
- *Parupeneus lutues* (Valenciennes, 1831)
- *Parupeneus xanthospilurus* Bleeker, 1875
- *Psedupeneus cyclostomus* (Lacepède, 1801)
- *Pseudupeneus aurantiacus* Seale, 1906
- *Pseudupeneus chryseredros* (Lacepède, 1801)
- *Pseudupeneus chryserydros* (Lacepède, 1801)
- *Pseudupeneus cyclostomus* (Lacepède, 1801)
- *Upeneus chryserythrus* Günther, 1873
- *Upeneus immaculatus* Bennett, 1831
- *Upeneus luteus* Valenciennes, 1831
- *Upeneus oxycephalus* Bleeker, 1856
- *Upeneus saffordi* Seale, 1901

## Range

Federal Republic of Somalia, Indian Ocean, Kenya, Mozambique, Red Sea, Republic of Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa

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