Yellow Back Goatfish

Parupeneus Goatfish can become large and should be added to large well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work, rubble and a deep sand bed should be provided. Plenty of cracks and crevices should be provided as Goatfish tend to be a bit on the shy side. Goatfish are good sand sifters and will use the barbels on their chin to dig and sense prey in the substrate. Goatfish prey on benthic invertebrates such as shrimp, worms, small brittle stars and crabs. They may disturb benthic corals and clams while sifting through the sand and rubble. A diet of meaty based foods should be provided several times daily. If having difficulty enticing Goatfish to eat try live ghost shrimp, Grass shrimp or black worms. Provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid as Goatfish may jump.

Yellow Back Goatfish are also sometimes known as the Dot and Dash Goatfish. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. The Yellow Back Goatfish are usually white with a black horizontal stripe that starts at its mouth running to the rear of its body and a black patch on its caudal peduncle. They have also been seen with a yellow or red body color. Yellow Back Goatfish can grow to almost 24".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 300 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH