Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Parupeneus

Parupeneus multifasciatus

(Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)

Manybar Goatfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Christmas Island to Hawaiian, Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe and Rapa Islands.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons seagrass beds, back reefs, reefs faces and fore-reef slopes at depths between 3 - 530 feet (3 – 160 m) and throughout the day feed on shrimp, crabs, worms, snails, bivalves, and small fishes.

General Husbandry: One of the more commonly seen goatfish in the trade and often sold as the Hawaiian Red Goatfish. Most often a reddish brownish body with two black markings, one under the second dorsal and the other near the tail, and also a dark spot just aft of the eye. Can change overall body coloration quite rapidly to grey when excited.

Best maintained in large fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming and unencumbered substrate areas so it can use its barbels to sift through the sand. As to diet, will consume a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, scallops, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.), including any ornamental crustaceans and possibly very small fishes in the aquarium, and should be fed at least several times daily. Live glass/ghost shrimp, live black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and sinking shrimp pellets are also welcomed foodstuffs.

FYI: Will decimate aquarium benthic invertebrate population in a very short period of time. Yet, a good sand sifter, if desired.

Can jump out of uncovered aquariums.

Of all the goatfish species, possibly one of the best for hobbyist aquariums.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Fish Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 150+ gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 – 26°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Parupeneus multifasciatus (Manybar Goatfish)
Photo © Bob Fenner
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Two Little Fishies