Striped Goatfish

The Striped Goatfish (Upeneus vittatus) is a tropical marine and brackish species associated with reefs, typically found at depths ranging from 5 to 100 meters. The species can reach a maximum length of 28 cm, with a more common length of approximately 20 cm.

Distinctive characteristics of the Striped Goatfish include 7-9 bars on the caudal fin, with 4-5 dark brown bars on the upper caudal-fin lobe and 3 bars on the lower lobe. These bars increase in width distally, with the widest being black or dark brown, while others are pale brown. The size of the largest lower caudal-fin lobe bar and its pale interspace is often equal to or larger than the orbit. The lower fin lobe tip is pale, and these markings are retained in preserved specimens. The first dorsal fin has a dark tip, and the pigmented area is comparable in size to the widest lower caudal-fin lobe bar. The body features two yellow or pale brown mid-lateral stripes: one extends from the eye to the caudal-fin base, merging with the upper caudal-fin lobe bar, while the other runs from the pectoral-fin base to the caudal peduncle. There are also two dorsolateral stripes, the lower being distinct, extending from the operculum to behind the second dorsal fin. The upper stripe is less discernible, beginning below the first dorsal-fin origin. The body is white to silvery, with white barbels, and has a dark reddish-brown dorsum, a white belly, and faint yellow patches along the pelvic and anal-fin bases. In preserved fish, the body appears pale brown with a slightly darker shade above the lateral line.

The Striped Goatfish is euryhaline and inhabits sandy lagoons and sheltered coastal waters, preferring muddy bottoms. It is a benthopelagic fish and commonly forms groups. On the northeast coast of 🇮🇳 India, the male-to-female ratio is typically 1:1.5. This species primarily feeds on small crustaceans.

Geographically, the Striped Goatfish is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, including the 🌊 Persian Gulf, the 🌊 Red Sea extending to East London, 🇿🇦 South Africa, the islands of 🇫🇲 Micronesia, and the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Society Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia), reaching as far as southern 🇯🇵 Japan and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France).

The species is marketed fresh for consumption.

The genus name "Upeneus" is derived from the Greek word "ypene," meaning upper lip.