Yellowstripe Goatfish

Description:

Yellowstripe Goatfish (weke ‘a’a) are silver with a yellow stripe near the dorsal fin. Their fins are very pale and there may be a dark spot present on their stripe. Goatfish have two separate dorsal fins and their mouths are slightly under slung. The largest goatfish are 21 inches but most are only half that size. They have sensory whiskers (similar to a cat fish) underneath their mouths. These are called barbels and are used to probe, excavate and taste the bottom of the ocean floor.

Habitat:

Hanauma Bay

Notes:

Goatfish have the ability to change their coloration depending on their activity. For example, the Yellowfin goatfish (which lives in Hawaii and the Red Sea) often schools with blue-striped snappers. In this mixed company, the yellofin goatfish actually change their coloration so they blend in more.