Australian Goatfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VII + 9; pectoral fins 13-15; gill rakers 5-7 + 16-19 = 22-25. Adult measurements in %SL: body depth at first dorsal-fin origin 23-27 and at anus 20-23; caudal-peduncle depth 9.9-12; maximum head depth 20-22, while head depth through eye 15-18; head length 27-30; orbit length 6.0-8.0; upper jaw length 9.3-12; barbel length 16-20; caudal-fin length 27-32; anal-fin height 15-18; pelvic-fin length 20-23; pectoral-fin length 19-22; first dorsal-fin height 18-23 and second dorsal-fin height 14-18. Colouration: caudal fin with 7-13 bars in total, the upper caudal-fin lobe with 5-6 brown or black bars close to fin base, its width similar or narrower than the pale interspaces between bars; and the lower lobe with 6-8 bars of similar width as those on upper lobe, pale interspaces narrower and the 2-3 distal-most bars (one on tip) darker and wider; these caudal-fin lobe bars are mostly well-retained in preserved fish, especially on dorsal side of lower lobe; barbels are white; body and head white-silvery or pale beige, dark beige above lateral line, with a yellow-orange lateral body stripe from behind eye to caudal fin base in fresh fish; when preserved the body is pale brown and darkened dorsally (Ref. 98481).Description: Pectoral fin rays mainly 14. Preorbital scales present. Peritoneum transparent with scattered small black spots. Vomerine teeth generally absent, but sometimes present; palatine teeth small, 1 or 3 irregular rows; ectopterygoid without teeth (Ref. 43139).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7; Vertebrae: 24

Occurs in inshore waters of the continental shelf (Ref. 75154).

Subadults and adults of this species occur at relatively shallow depths of the upper shelf and usually around 20-30 m (Ref. 98481). Adults feed mainly on shrimp (47%).