Blue-Lined Goatfish

Upeneichthys lineatus

The blue-lined goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus) is a species of goatfish in the family Mullidae, native to the temperate waters of southern and eastern Australia. Adults grow to about 35 cm in length and display a reddish to pinkish body adorned with distinctive blue horizontal stripes along the flanks. Like all goatfish, they possess a pair of sensory barbels on the chin used to probe sandy and silty substrates for hidden prey including small crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. They inhabit rocky reefs and sandy areas at depths of 5-100 meters, though they are more commonly found above 40 meters. Blue-lined goatfish are often seen singly or in small groups foraging over the seafloor, frequently followed by other fish species that scavenge disturbed prey. Their bright coloration and active foraging behavior make them a visually appealing and interesting species to observe during temperate water dives in Australia.