Yellowstripe Goatfish

The yellowstripe goatfish (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus) is a tropical marine fish commonly found in reef-associated environments at depths ranging from 1 to 99 meters (3 to 325 feet). This species reaches a maximum length of 43 centimeters (approximately 17 inches) and commonly measures around 25 centimeters (10 inches). Its maximum recorded weight is 423.3 grams (about 0.93 pounds).

The fish exhibits a distinctive appearance with a grey to olive back, whitish sides and belly, and one or two longitudinal yellow bands along its body. It also features a dark blotch below the first dorsal fin, a yellow stripe running from the eye to the tail, and additional yellow markings on the cheek and abdomen. Its body is characterized by eight dorsal spines and nine dorsal soft rays, along with a single anal spine and seven anal soft rays. The head makes up 3.1 to 3.5 times the standard length of the fish, while the snout and barbel lengths are proportionately smaller.

Yellowstripe goatfish typically form schools in shallow sandy areas of lagoons and seaward reefs. Larger adults may be seen solitary on sand slopes, often accompanied by other species that benefit from the prey disturbed by the goatfish's feeding activities. These fish are benthopelagic, meaning they inhabit both the seabed and open water, and their diet consists of crustaceans, molluscs, worms, heart urchins, and foraminiferans. They are consumed either fresh or dried.

The yellowstripe goatfish is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from the 🌊 Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and Pitcairn Group. Its range extends north to southern 🇯🇵 Japan and south to 🇦🇺 Australia and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France), with a single recorded appearance in 🇳🇿 New Zealand. The species is commonly found throughout most of its range. The genus name "Mulloidichthys" is derived from Latin and Greek, with "mullus" meaning soft and "ichthys" meaning fish.