How to Identify Yellowstripe Goatfish

To identify Yellowstripe Goatfish (Upeneus vittatus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

The body is silvery-white to pinkish-white dorsally, fading to white ventrally. A prominent bright yellow to golden-yellow stripe runs from the snout through the eye to the caudal peduncle. Above this stripe, there are typically two narrower, reddish-brown stripes. The dorsal fins are yellowish with dark crossbars. The caudal fin is deeply forked, with several dark crossbars on each lobe. The barbels are white or yellowish.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

subterminal

Distinctive features

Two long, prominent chemosensory barbels on the chin, Bright yellow lateral stripe, Deeply forked caudal fin with dark crossbars, Two dorsal fins, widely separated

Dorsal fin

Two dorsal fins; the first with 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 8 soft rays. The first dorsal fin is typically taller than the second.

Tail fin

Deeply forked caudal fin with 13-15 branched rays, exhibiting distinct dark crossbars on each lobe.

Pectoral fin

Pectoral fins are relatively short, with 15-17 rays.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are thoracic, with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. Anal fin has 1 spine and 6-7 soft rays.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Lateral Stripe

   Look for the prominent, bright yellow to golden-yellow stripe running along the side of the body from the snout to the tail base. This is the most distinguishing feature.

2. 2

   Barbels

   Observe the two long, white or yellowish barbels extending from the chin. These are characteristic of all goatfishes and are used for probing the substrate.

3. 3

   Caudal Fin Pattern

   Note the deeply forked caudal fin with distinct dark crossbars on both the upper and lower lobes. This pattern helps differentiate it from some other Upeneus species.

4. 4

   Dorsal Fin Coloration

   The yellowish dorsal fins with dark crossbars are also a good identification marker.

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