You get a Red Goatfish

Image 1 by Storm Martin, CC-BY

Today's animal of the day is the Yellowfin Goatfish (Mulloidichthys vanicolensis)!

Photo credit: João D'Andretta

This species of saltwater fish can be found in coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. They grow up to 15 inches long and have silvery-white bodies with thick yellowish-orange stripes. As their name suggests, their fins are all a stunning bright yellow color. They are called goatfish because they have a pair of hair-like barbels underneath their chins that somewhat resemble the beards of goats. These are usually tucked up against the body while they are swimming, so they can sometimes go unnoticed if you don't already know that they're there.

Photo credit: Ian Shaw

These fish is the GOAT-- the goatfish, that is! The species in this family are characterized by the two long barbels which extend from their chins like a goatee. The barbels act like whiskers, and contain chemosensory organs which help the goatfish to probe the ocean floor for a potential meal.

(Image: A blue-striped goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) by John Turnbull)

Luca (2021, Enrico Casarosa)