{"product_id":"gold-goatfish","title":"Gold Goatfish | Parupeneus cyclostomus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Goatfish, also known as the Goldsaddle or Yellowsaddle Goatfish, is a striking and constantly active reef fish that cruises the substrate on a pair of sensitive chin barbels, probing the sand for hidden prey. It is not a wrasse but a true goatfish, and it is a large, energetic species that reaches around 50 cm as an adult - so it needs serious swimming room. Colour ranges from bright golden-yellow to blue-grey with a yellow saddle, and its endless foraging makes it a fascinating display fish for a big fish-only or robust reef system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eParupeneus cyclostomus is found widely across the Indo-Pacific, over sand flats, rubble and reef edges, often in lagoons and on outer slopes. It uses its barbels to detect small fish and invertebrates buried in the substrate, then digs them out - frequently followed by opportunistic tagalong fish hoping to snatch flushed prey. In the aquarium it needs a large footprint with open sand for foraging and rockwork for structure. A small or newly set-up tank is entirely unsuitable for this active, hard-swimming fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis goatfish is elongate and streamlined, with the distinctive paired barbels beneath the chin. Colour is variable and can shift with mood and activity: many individuals are a vivid golden yellow, while others show a blue-grey body with fine blue lines on the head and a characteristic yellow saddle near the tail base. The adult size of around 50 cm should be carefully considered before purchase, as this is one of the larger goatfishes. Healthy fish are constantly on the move, well-filled through the body and actively probing the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful to semi-aggressive. The Gold Goatfish is not a bully towards similarly sized fish, but it is an active predator of small prey. It mixes well with tangs, larger wrasses, angels and other robust fish, but it will hunt and eat small fish, ornamental shrimp and other small mobile invertebrates. Give it plenty of open space; crowding a fish this size and this active leads to stress and poor health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding must be generous and frequent - this is a fish with a fast metabolism and a genuine tendency to waste away if underfed. Offer a varied carnivore diet of mysis, chopped prawn, squid, clam, mussel, marine fish flesh and quality sinking pellets, several times a day. Natural foraging over a live sand bed helps, but should not be relied on as the sole food source. Poor feeding is the most common reason these fish fail in captivity, so commit to a substantial, regular feeding regime before taking one on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 680 L, with larger strongly recommended given the adult size and activity level. Maintain temperature at 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and salinity around 1.020-1.026. A deep, open sand bed is important for natural foraging, along with sturdy rockwork that will not be undermined as the fish digs. Strong filtration, efficient protein skimming and regular water changes are needed to cope with its heavy feeding. Moderate to strong flow and good oxygenation suit this active swimmer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved. Goatfish are open-water broadcast spawners that release eggs and sperm into the plankton, and the larval phase cannot be reared under normal aquarium conditions. Keepers should focus on providing a large tank, ample food and stable water quality for long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParupeneus cyclostomus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Goatfish (Goldsaddle \/ Yellowsaddle Goatfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific sand flats, lagoons and reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 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 to semi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e680 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e900 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; frequent meaty foods and sinking pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-27°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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge fish-only and robust reef systems with open sand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution (eats small fish and invertebrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, angelfish, and other robust, similarly sized fish that can share a large aquarium with plenty of open swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small fish, ornamental shrimp, small crabs and other small mobile invertebrates that may be hunted, as well as delicate or very timid fish that could be stressed by its constant activity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234141389091,"sku":"BA8449-S-AU","price":55.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234141421859,"sku":"BA8449","price":108.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234141454627,"sku":"BA8449-L-AU","price":118.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-50cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351941693731,"sku":"BA8449-XL-AU","price":136.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562754261283,"sku":"BA8449-S-IMP","price":55.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562754294051,"sku":"BA8449-M-IMP","price":108.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562754326819,"sku":"BA8449-L-IMP","price":118.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-50cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562754359587,"sku":"BA8449-XL-IMP","price":136.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/gold-goatfish-43090648138019.webp?v=1790306127","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-goatfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}