Upeneus tragula

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Facts
Latin name Upeneus tragula - Richardson, 1846
Local name Freckled goatfish
Family Mullidae - Upeneus
Origin East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia, Central/West Pacific
Max length 25 cm (9.8")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 1500 l (396 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...)
Beware of
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.

Keep in mind
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.

Descriptions and further reading
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 Yes
Distribution Eastern Indian Ocean to Western Pacific: from Andaman Islands to E Australia and to Japan and New Caledonia.
English common names Darkband goatfish
Freckled goatfish
Mottled goatfish
Bar-tail goatfish
Bartail goatfish
Bar-tailed goatfish
French common names Capucin d'herbiers
Capucin souris à bande sombre
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)