Parupeneus heptacanthus (Cinnabar goatfish)

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Facts

Latin name	Parupeneus heptacanthus - (Lacepède, 1802)
Local name	Cinnabar goatfish
Family	Mullidae - Parupeneus
Origin	East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia, East Pacific, Central/West Pacific
Max length	36 cm (14.2")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	900 l (237 gal)
Hardiness	Average
Suitable for aquarium	Experience, preparation and extra care required
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Peaceful

Feed

Recommended	Fish Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Other invertebrates Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)

Jumps out of open aquaria

This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.

Can be a threat to small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates

This species can be a threat for small fishes, crustaceans, worms, snails etc.

Searches through sand for food

This species searches through the sand for food, which can make the water cloudy and shakes up detritus.

In an aquarium their natural food source in the sand is quickly exhausted.

Frequent feeding

This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added.

When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding.

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Docile

This species is very shy and docile, so one should be careful when keeping it with more aggressive fish.

Family description (Mullidae)

Goatfish (Mullidae) have a very characteristic "beard" which they use when searching the sand for food. The aquarium should therefore have a large open area with both sand and coral gravel for example.

These fish are not particularly well suited to aquaria as they often die after a few months due to malnutrition.
To succeed with these fish, one must feed them a varied diet 4-5 times a day, this in addition, to them finding their own food in the aquarium.

It can be difficult to fulfil their dietry needs, as they quickly consume the natural food in the tank and the amount of feeding places a large strain on the aquarium.
They require a large amount of food when young, but less when fully grown.

Goatfish are considered predators, as they will eat small fish and crustaceans.

FishBase

Aquarium trade	No
Distribution	Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and east coast of Africa to the Caroline Islands and Fiji.
English common names	Small-spot goatfish Opalescent goatfish Cinnabar goatfish Redspot goatfish
French common names	Barbet à point rouge Capucin à tache rouge
Danish common names	Cinnober-mulle

References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2004. Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 3) TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Mulling Over the Goatfishes, Family Mullidae, Part I - Wet Web Media - (English)
Bob Fenner. Mulling Over the Goatfishes, Family Mullidae, Part II - Wet Web Media - (English)
Bob Fenner. Mulling Over the Goatfishes, Family Mullidae, Part III - Wet Web Media - (English)
Bob Fenner. Goatfishes in Indonesia, Family Mullidae - Wet Web Media - (English)