Parupeneus cyclostomus

Datasheet

General Description

The Gold-saddle goatfish (Parupeneus cyclostomus) belongs to the Mullidae family, characterized by their distinctive "beards" used for sifting food in the sand. With a maximum size of 50.0cm, these fish are found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to South Africa, and eastwards to the Hawaiian and Marquesan islands.

Aquarium Suitability

Due to their predatory nature, the Gold-saddle goatfish can pose a threat to small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates, making them unsuitable for communal tanks. They demand a large aquarium of at least 2000 liters when fully grown and are known to jump out of open tanks, necessitating secure enclosures.

Care and Hardiness

These fish require a specialized care regimen, including a varied diet fed 4-5 times daily to prevent malnutrition. Their diet comprises fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, and zooplankton, making them challenging to sustain in captivity. Despite their docile temperament, they are prone to stress and malnourishment.

Reef Suitability

Gold-saddle goatfish are considered reef-safe with caution. However, their predatory behavior towards small invertebrates and crustaceans can disrupt the delicate balance of a reef ecosystem.

Aquarium Setup

An ideal aquarium for Gold-saddle goatfish should feature a large open area with sand and coral gravel substrates. Providing ample space for swimming is crucial, as these fish are active swimmers. Maintaining stable water conditions with a pH of 8.1-8.4, a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, and a salinity of 1.020-1.025 is essential.

Behaviour

These fish are inherently shy and docile, requiring cautious handling when housed with more aggressive tank mates. Gold-saddle goatfish exhibit natural behaviors such as sifting through sand for food, which can lead to the disturbance of tank detritus and cloudiness in the water.

Feeding and Diet

Feeding the Gold-saddle goatfish a diverse diet of fish, larger crustaceans, small crustaceans, and zooplankton is vital for their nutritional needs. They are frequent feeders and may still require supplemental feeding even if they find natural food sources in the aquarium.

Dimorphism and Reproduction

The species does not exhibit significant dimorphic characteristics, and information on captive reproduction is limited. In their natural habitat, Gold-saddle goatfish reproduce through the release of eggs into the water column, where fertilization occurs externally.

Habitat and Distribution

Gold-saddle goatfish inhabit sandy bottoms and coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to the Ryukyu Islands and southwards to New Caledonia. Their distribution includes the East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and the Central/West Pacific.