Goatfish - Yellow Threaded

Max length : 19.6 cm SL male/unsexed

Family	Mullidae
Description	Goatfishes
Environment	Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Latin, mullus = soft
Genus	6
No. of Species	87
Order	Perciformes
Class	Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild	Nonguarders
Distribution	Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, rarely in brackish waters. Elongated body. Dorsal fins far apart. First dorsal fin with 6-8 spines; second dorsal with one spine and 8-9 soft rays, shorter than anal fin. Spines in anal fin 1 or 2, with 5-8 soft rays. Forked caudal fin. Vertebrae 24. Chin with 2 long barbels, which contain chemosensory organs and are used to probe the sand or holes in the reef for benthic invertebrates or small fish. Many brightly colored. Pelagic spawners. Up to 60 cm maximum length. Valued as food fish. Not popular for aquaria, but do well in right settings. Mullus (Latin) = mullet. Habitat: sand-associated, shallow habitats

Yellow Threaded Goatfish

Found over sand. Generally found at depths deeper than 60 meters

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal soft rays: 7. Diagnosis: Pectoral rays nearly always 16 (4 of 36 specimens with 15 on one side and 17 on the other). Gill rakers 7-8 + 25-28 (total 32-35). Body depth 3.3-4.05 in SL; head length (HL) 2.7-3.05 in SL; eye relatively large, the orbit diameter 4.4 - 5.3 in HL (118-196 mm SL); snout length 1.65-2.1 in HL (snout progressively longer with growth); barbel long 1.1-1.3 in HL; dorsal spine longest in HL; last dorsal rays about equal in length; pectoral-fin length 1.35-1.5 in HL; pelvic fins 1.2-1.4 in HL. White, scale edges narrowly dark, with a red or brown band from front of snout along back adjacent to base of dorsal fins, the scales within band with dark brown edges, and many with a dark brown spot; a red or dark brown stripe from front of snout through eye and broadening as it follows the lateral line; stripe partially interrupted below rear base of second dorsal fin, then ending in a broad slightly oblique bar on caudal peduncle; a vertically elongate dark red or dark brown spot within stripe behind eye in line with posterior margin of preopercle; barbels varying from bright red to yellow or mixed red and yellow; membranes of first dorsal fin red; second dorsal fin red basally, the outer half with narrow irregular pale yellow and pale blue bands separated by dark reddish lines; anal fin with similar bands on all of fin; caudal fin mainly yellow, usually with small white spots basally; pelvic fins largely red. Specimens from the deep water are entirely red without upper band and lateral stripe; a dark red spot behind eye; fins colored as in shallower-water fish except caudal fin more red

Summary of Distribution: Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaii and Johnston islands.
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

	Drifting Drift fishing allows you to fish over a variety of habitats as your boat drifts with the currents or wind movement. You can drift fish on the bottom or change the depth with a bobber or float. Natural baits work best. But jigs, lures and artificial flies will produce good results, too. You can drift fish on the ocean, as well as ponds, lakes, rivers and streams any time of the day and year..
	Still Fishing The simplest of fishing methods can also be the most effective. Still-fishing is a matter of putting your bait in the water and waiting for a fish to find it. Depending on water depth and what you’re trying to catch, you may want to still-fish near the surface, at a mid-water depth, or right down on the bottom. Using a float, or bobber, makes it easy to fish near the surface, or you can add sinkers to your line to fish deeper. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom or off the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. And you can still fish during most seasons and during any part of the day. You have to be very patient. You need to wait for the fish to bite. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. .