{"product_id":"dot-dash-goatfish","title":"Dot Dash Goatfish | Parupeneus barberinus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Dot Dash Goatfish is a tireless sand-sifting fish that patrols the bottom on a pair of sensitive chin barbels, hunting for buried prey. Growing to as much as 60 cm, it is a genuinely large fish that needs a big system with a deep, soft sand bed. Fascinating to watch and a natural sand stirrer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWidespread across Indo-Pacific reefs and lagoons, the Dot Dash Goatfish cruises over open sand flats near reef edges, using its barbels to probe the substrate for worms, small crustaceans and other buried invertebrates. It needs open sand to display its natural foraging behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA streamlined, pale fish marked with a dark horizontal dash along the flank and a distinct dark spot near the tail base - the \"dot and dash\" that gives it its name. It can flush pink or reddish when active or stressed. A pair of long chin barbels is used to taste and probe the sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful towards other fish and a good community member in a large system. Its constant sand-sifting is helpful for keeping the substrate turned over, though it can be disruptive to rock and coral placed directly on sand. It does best with room to roam.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that naturally forages for meaty prey in the sand. Offer mysis, brine, chopped seafood, sinking pellets and other meaty foods, ideally sinking items it can hunt near the bottom. It benefits from frequent feeding to fuel its active lifestyle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 400 litres, with 700 litres or more recommended for an adult. Maintain temperature 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.020–1.026. A deep, soft (non-sharp) sand bed is essential to protect its barbels, along with open swimming space and good filtration to handle its waste.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoatfish spawn pelagic eggs in open water in the wild and are not bred in home aquariums. The realistic goal is a healthy, active fish with a well-maintained sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParupeneus barberinus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDot Dash Goatfish (Dash-and-dot Goatfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs and lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore - mysis, brine, chopped seafood, sinking pellets and meaty foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026 specific gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge aquariums with a deep soft sand bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution - coral-safe but will eat small mobile invertebrates and may disturb sand-based rock and coral\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, angelfish, wrasses, rabbitfish, and other peaceful to semi-aggressive fish in a large system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with ornamental shrimp and small inverts it may eat, and very aggressive fish. Not ideal for small tanks or bare-bottom systems where it cannot forage in sand.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234136867107,"sku":"BA8308-S-AU","price":55.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234136899875,"sku":"BA8308","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234136932643,"sku":"BA8308-L-AU","price":77.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-50cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351937564963,"sku":"BA8308-XL-AU","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751279395,"sku":"BA8308-S-IMP","price":55.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751312163,"sku":"BA8308-M-IMP","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751344931,"sku":"BA8308-L-IMP","price":77.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-50cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751377699,"sku":"BA8308-XL-IMP","price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/dot-dash-goatfish-43090648105251.webp?v=1790305844","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/dot-dash-goatfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}