spotted goatfish
Pseudupeneus maculatus
Goatfish of shallow reefs, from the coast of New Jersey to Santa Catarina. Its flesh is prized, but there are reports of ciguatera.
Also called: beija-moça, canaiú, pirametara, salmonete colorado, spotted goatfish
- maximum
- 30 cm
- depth
- 0–35 m
who is the spotted goatfish
Goatfish of the family Mullidae, from shallow reefs and sand and rock bottoms, from the surface down to 35 m. Juveniles tend to stay in seagrass beds, and adults live over reefs and rocky bottoms. It reaches 30 cm. It feeds on small bottom invertebrates. The species is sold for aquariums and also eaten, with much-prized flesh sold fresh and frozen. It occurs from Mexico and the Caribbean to Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the spotted goatfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Goatfish with a spindle-shaped body, with two barbels on the chin, like all goatfish, and three large dark blotches under the dorsal fins. The scales on the back have reddish or brownish-yellow edges and pale blue centers, and the head has diagonal blue lines. It can change its pattern and show large red blotches on the head and body in under a minute. Compare with Upeneus parvus, from the same area, which has oblique dark bands on the tail.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs from Mexico and the Caribbean to Santa Catarina, Brazil, on reefs and shallow bottoms along the whole Brazilian coast.
Habitat: Shallow reefs and sand and rock bottoms, 0 to 35 m, with juveniles in seagrass.
coast
rules for the spotted goatfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
The spines are not dangerous, but there are reports of ciguatera, so the main care is about eating it. Release it carefully, holding it by the body.
in the kitchen
The flesh is much prized and sold fresh and frozen. There are reports of ciguatera poisoning, so care is needed when eating it.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01047, b = 3.1; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Pseudupeneus maculatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Pseudupeneus maculatusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
