Yellowstripe goatfish (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus) is a saltwater species recorded in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 1–99 m.
Scientific name: Mulloidichthys flavolineatus · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 43 cm
The Yellowstripe goatfish is a mullid, one of the goatfishes, named for the pair of barbels under the chin that it uses to probe the sand for prey buried beneath it. The back is grey to olive with whitish sides and belly, marked by one or two yellow longitudinal bands, a dark blotch below the first dorsal fin and a yellow stripe running from the eye to the tail. It schools only occasionally, living over shallow sandy ground in lagoons and on seaward reefs from about 1 to 99 m; large adults are often solitary on sand slopes with other species trailing them to pick off prey the goatfish disturbs as it feeds. The diet is crustaceans, mollusks, worms, heart urchins and foraminiferans. Names differ by region: Taiwan calls it 鬚哥 and Hong Kong 秋姑. It is a recognised game fish and is also commonly used as bait. Maturity comes at about 21 cm, most fish run about 25 cm, and the maximum is about 43 cm total length and 423 g. IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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