Freckled Goatfish

The freckled goatfish, Upeneus tragula, uses sensory barbels beneath its chin to locate food. Its natural surroundings include sandy and seagrass areas, where small animals provide a varied carnivorous diet.

Design the aquarium with a broad, accessible bottom and generous swimming space. Secure rock structures and avoid filling every feeding route with delicate coral. Offer portions of marine meaty foods several times daily, checking that they reach this bottom-oriented fish. An individual reluctant to eat prepared food may initially need suitable live prey.

Shrimp, crabs, worms and potentially small fish can become food. This makes the goatfish a considered choice for a community with ornamental invertebrates. Its foraging should be accommodated as normal behaviour, rather than purchased as a promise of a particular sand-cleaning result.