Goatfish (Parupeneus Barberinus)

Also Known As: Dash-and-Dot Goatfish

Compatibility and Behavior
The Goatfish is an active, sand-cruising species best known for its elongated body, twin chin barbels, and a clean white-to-cream base color broken up by a bold mid-body stripe and a dark spot near the tail. The overall look is sleek and distinctive, with subtle yellow and tan shading on the back and fins that really pops against a bright sand bed. This is a generally peaceful species that spends most of its time methodically sifting through the substrate, using those sensitive barbels to probe for worms, small crustaceans, and any leftover food it can find. It coexists well with a wide range of community fish that aren't overly aggressive, but it's not the right fit for tanks that depend heavily on ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs, or other small invertebrates, since those may be viewed as prey. In a spacious, stable system, the Goatfish becomes a fascinating, constantly moving forager that helps keep the sand bed turned over and clean as it hunts.

Aquarium Requirements
A mature marine aquarium with a wide footprint is ideal, paired with plenty of open sand for foraging. A soft, fine substrate matters here, since the fish needs to sift through it without damaging those delicate barbels. Complement the sand bed with rockwork that offers shelter, shaded resting spots, and natural boundaries for the patrol routes the fish will set up over time. Moderate flow is ideal. Strong enough to keep detritus from settling too heavily, but gentle enough that the fish can work the bottom without getting pushed around. Goatfish are busy carnivores with hearty appetites, so strong biological filtration and consistent maintenance go a long way toward handling the bioload from frequent feedings. Offer a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, sinking chopped seafood, clam, and quality carnivore pellets to keep this active forager well fed and focused on the sand bed rather than tankmates.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Sm: 1-2", Md: 2-3", Lg: 3-4"
Diet: Carnivore (frozen mysis shrimp, sinking chopped seafood, clam, carnivore pellets)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: With caution (generally ignores corals but may prey on small crustaceans and other invertebrates)
Temperament: Peaceful, active bottom forager
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Special Considerations: Requires a soft, fine sand bed for safe foraging with the barbels; not ideal for tanks featuring small ornamental shrimp or crabs