Upeneus mouthami Randall & Kulbicki, 2006
Moutham's goatfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Max. size:  9.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 60 - 76 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: including Chesterfield Bank, Coral Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished by the following: D VIII + 9 with the first spine being extremely short; A I, 8, spine extremely short; pectoral rays 13; lateral line scales 29; gill rakers 6-7 + 17-19 = 23-26; body depth 4.15-4.4 in SL; barbels up to posterior to rear margin of preopercle, 1.3-1.4 in HL; body light red dorsally, white with pink blotches on the side and ventrally with a yellow stripe following the lateral line to caudal peduncle where it passes just dorsal to line; barbels pale yellow; caudal fin lobes with 3 cross bands, the outer one of lower lobe the darkest and twice as broad as other bands; dark spot absent on outer part of first dorsal fin (Ref. 58005).
Biology:  General description of the bank where the specimens were taken, is shallow sand on eroded flat rock with scattered patches of green algae (Ref. 58005).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 11 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans: 


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