Parupeneus trifasciatus (Doublebar goatfish)

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Facts

Latin name	Parupeneus trifasciatus - (Lacepède, 1801)
Local name	Doublebar goatfish
Family	Mullidae - Parupeneus
Origin	East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Indonesia
Max length	35 cm (13.8")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	800 l (211 gal)
Hardiness	Average
Suitable for aquarium	Experience, preparation and extra care required
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Docile

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	Included in the Parupeneus trifasciatus complex are: Parupeneus trifasciatus from the Indian Ocean; Parupeneus crassilabris from eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, east to Fiji, Tonga, and the Caroline Islands; and Parup
English common names	Two barred goatfish Threebar goatfish
Danish common names	Tobåndet mulle
French common names	Capucin manuel

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)