(Image credit: Rick Stuart-Smith, Reef Life Survey)

Reddish brown body with lighter coloured barbels (‘whiskers’). Most individuals have two distinct white lines running horizontally above and below the eye. Some individuals will have a third line below these two. Others may just a lighter section than the rest of the body in this area. A white spot at the rear of the dorsal fin, slightly before the tail is where the common name of this species arises. The scales have a white section, which gives a spotted appearance.

Goatfish are active at night. They may also undergo colour changes, turning completely red with the saddle spot and horizontal facial lines becoming almost invisible.

Length: Up to 35 cm

Habitat

Seagrass beds and outer reef slopes with sandy substrates; 2-40 m depth

Log it

In New South Wales, log if spotted in Port Stephens and south

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/