Yellow goatfish
Mulloidichthys martinicus
(Cuvier, 1829)
Description:
Body pale tan with a distinctive yellow stripe from the eye to the tail. Tail also yellow. Upper body may have shadings ranging from blue to olive or red. Fins, other than the tail, may be white or yellowish (M. martinicus). Two barbels under the tip of the chin.
Size up to 39 cm.
Habitat:
Found over sandy areas of lagoons and seaward reefs, down to 50 m. Often in schools. They use the two barbels when looking for food in the sand. When they do not use these feelers, they are hidden in a groove. Feeding on benthic invertebrates.
Juveniles common in seagrass beds.
Distribution:
Abundant to common Florida, occasional Bahamas and Caribbean.