Manybar Goatfish, scientifically known as Parupeneus multifasciatus, is found in the eastern Indian and Pacific Oceans.
It lives in areas from Christmas Island to Hawaii, southern Japan, and Lord Howe Island.
In Hawaii, it’s called Moano-nui-ka-lehua, which means “great moano of the lehua.”
Young Manybar Goatfish are called ‘ahua or ‘ohua, meaning “seedling.” The word “moano” refers to a pale-red color in Hawaiian.
These fish sometimes form schools and live around sandy patches or rocky areas near reefs and shallow lagoons.
They swim close to the ocean floor (benthopelagic) and eat mainly small crabs and shrimp during the daytime.
They also consume demersal fish eggs, mollusks, and tiny single-celled organisms called foraminiferans.
When keeping these species in a reef aquarium, use caution since they may pose some risks to other inhabitants.
Manybar Goatfish Interesting Facts
- Manybar Goatfish inhabit tropical waters in the eastern Indian and Pacific Oceans, including areas around Christmas Island, Hawaii, southern Japan, and Lord Howe Island.
- In Hawaiian culture, they are called moano-nui-ka-lehua, which translates to “great moano of the lehua,” with “moano” meaning a pale-red color.
- These fish form schools and dwell near reefs and shallow lagoons, swimming close to the ocean floor while feeding on small crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and foraminiferans.
- When introduced to a reef aquarium, Manybar Goatfish can pose risks to other inhabitants due to their predatory behavior.
Manybar Goatfish Habitat
Manybar Goatfish is found in the Pacific Ocean, from Christmas Island to Hawaii, Japan, and other islands. It lives in marine reefs at depths of 3 to 161 meters.
Manybar Goatfish likes tropical waters with a temperature range of 30°N to 32°S and longitude from 92°E to 132°W.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Manybar Goatfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters)
Manybar Goatfish matures after reaching 5.5 inches (14.0 centimeters) or more.
It grows up to a maximum length of 13.8 inches (35.0 centimeters) for males and 7.0 inches (17.9 centimeters) for females.
The common length of this fish is around 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters). The maximum weight of Manybar Goatfish is 453 grams. It has 8 dorsal spines, 9 dorsal soft rays, 1 anal spine, and 7 anal soft rays.
Manybar Goatfish has pectoral rays that usually number around 16 and a total of gill rakers ranging from 36 to 41.
The body depth is between three and four times the standard length of the fish, with a head length also about three times the standard length.
The snout’s dorsal profile is mostly straight, and it has long barbels which are about half the head’s length. Its longest dorsal spine measures around two-thirds of its head length.
Some noticeable features include the last dorsal ray being longer than the one before it, convex margins on caudal-fin lobes, and varying fin lengths in relation to its head size.
Coloration
The body ranges from gray to red with yellow scale edges. There are broad black bars on the tail area and under the second dorsal fin; sometimes there are additional dark bars on the sides.
The head often displays a dark brown band extending from above its lip through its eye to its gill opening.
The fins have various color bands including blue, yellow, pink, or dusky shades depending on their location.
Manybar Goatfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Mullidae |
| Genus: | Parupeneus |
| Scientific Name: | Parupeneus multifasciatus |
| Also Known As: | Manybar Goatfish, Moano-nui-ka-lehua |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |