Yellow goatfish (Mulloidichthys martinicus) fish species and information / pictures of Yellow goatfish - Mulloidichthys martinicus

Yellow goatfish (Mulloidichthys martinicus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mulloidichthys martinicus

Common Name
Yellow goatfish

Biology
Found over sandy areas of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Often in schools (Ref. 26938). Forms schools with the smallmouth grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum), an association regarded as social protective mimicry (Ref. 52492). Juveniles are common in seagrass beds (Ref. 9710). Feeds on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 7313). Marketed fresh (Ref. 3792).

Classification

Classified By
Cuvier, 1829
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Goatfishes (Mullidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Bermuda and Florida, USA to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Ref. 9626). Eastern Atlantic: single record from Ile de S?o Tiago, Baie de Tarrafal, Cape Verde (Ref. 7313). Reported from S?o Tom? Island (Ref. 34088).
Range
32°N - 33°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
49 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 49 m (Ref. 9710), usually 0 - 35 m (Ref. 40849)
Trophic Level
3.18 s.e. 0.36 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
39.4 cm
Common Length
28.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30303)
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated