Goldsaddle goatfish

Parupeneus cyclostomus, the goldsaddle goatfish, is a member of the family Mullidae, native to reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific. It has an elongated body and a pair of long chin barbels used to probe the substrate for prey; coloration varies from bluish-grey to a bright golden-yellow phase, with a pale saddle near the tail base. It is an active, roaming predator that is generally peaceful toward fish too large to eat but will hunt small fish and shrimp. It swims tirelessly in search of food. It requires a very large aquarium with open sand for foraging and plenty of swimming room, since it grows sizeable and is constantly on the move. A carnivore, it needs frequent feedings of meaty foods such as mysis, chopped seafood, and shrimp. It is not reef-safe with small mobile invertebrates, and its high activity and appetite make it a demanding fish suited to spacious fish-focused systems.