Gold Thread Goatfish

Diagnosis: Pectoral rays nearly always 16 (4 of 36 specimens with 15 on one side and 17 on the other). Gill rakers 7-8 + 25-28 (total 32-35). Body depth 3.3-4.05 in SL; head length (HL) 2.7-3.05 in SL; eye relatively large, the orbit diameter 4.4 - 5.3 in HL (118-196 mm SL); snout length 1.65-2.1 in HL (snout progressively longer with growth); barbel long 1.1-1.3 in HL; dorsal spine longest in HL; last dorsal rays about equal in length; pectoral-fin length 1.35-1.5 in HL; pelvic fins 1.2-1.4 in HL. White, scale edges narrowly dark, with a red or brown band from front of snout along back adjacent to base of dorsal fins, the scales within band with dark brown edges, and many with a dark brown spot; a red or dark brown stripe from front of snout through eye and broadening as it follows the lateral line; stripe partially interrupted below rear base of second dorsal fin, then ending in a broad slightly oblique bar on caudal peduncle; a vertically elongate dark red or dark brown spot within stripe behind eye in line with posterior margin of preopercle; barbels varying from bright red to yellow or mixed red and yellow; membranes of first dorsal fin red; second dorsal fin red basally, the outer half with narrow irregular pale yellow and pale blue bands separated by dark reddish lines; anal fin with similar bands on all of fin; caudal fin mainly yellow, usually with small white spots basally; pelvic fins largely red. Specimens from the deep water are entirely red without upper band and lateral stripe; a dark red spot behind eye; fins colored as in shallower-water fish except caudal fin more red (Ref. 54393).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analsoft rays: 7

Found over sand (Ref. 58302). Generally found at depths deeper than 60 meters (Ref. 54393).