Yellowstripe goatfish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Mullidae
Genus: Mulloidichthys
Species:
M. flavolineatus
Binomial name
Mulloidichthys flavolineatus
(Lacépède, 1801)
Synonyms

Mullus flavolineatus Lacepède, 1801

The yellowstripe goatfish (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus) is a species of goatfish native to the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. The fish is known as Weke 'a'a in Hawaiian.[2]

Description

The species' color ranges from grey to white on its sides with red-orange to pure yellow fins. In order to keep itself safe at night it is able to camouflage and blend in to the color of its surroundings. This prevents the fish from being spotted by predators. It is a schooling species, generally found feeding in large groups.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The yellowstripe goatfish occurs in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean in nearshore sandy bottoms and shore reefs at depths of less than 100 meters.[3] It spawns in Hawaii throughout the year with increased activity from February through June.[2]

Human use

This species is used as a food item in Hawaii. It tastes like shrimp, its primary source of food.[2] It is best to be kept cool after harvesting and preserved for longer periods of time in the freezer. Before preparing the fish, it has to be cleaned thoroughly by removing the intestinal tract.[4] People enjoy fishing for goatfish and it is a species that can easily be found by snorkelers throughout the Indo-Pacific.[5]

Cultural significance

The Weke 'a'a lives for fewer than 5 years. Adults fish for them in Hawaii and Guam.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Williams, I. (2016) [errata version of 2017 assessment]. "Mulloidichthys flavolineatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T50903119A115403890.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Hawaiian Goatfish". thisfish.info. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  3. ↑ "Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, Yellowstripe goatfish : fisheries, gamefish, aquarium, bait". www.fishbase.se. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  4. ↑ "Pacific Food Guide | Goatfishes". Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  5. ↑ "Goatfish". Snorkeling Report. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  6. ↑ "Scientists Describe the Life History of Two Goatfish Species in the Northern Mariana Islands". NOAA Fisheries. 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2021-11-18.
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