Upeneus taeniopterus Cuvier 1829

This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VIII,9; pectoral fins 13-14; gill rakers 5-6 + 16-17 = 21-23; lateral line scales 35-39; body depth at first dorsal fin origin 22-25% SL and at anus 20-23% SL; caudal-peduncle depth 9.7-11% SL; maximum head depth 17-21% SL; head depth through eye 14-17% SL; head length 25-29%SL; orbit length 4.4-6.3% SL; upper jaw length 11-13% SL; barbel length 17-21% SL; caudal-fin length 28-32% SL; anal-fin height 15-17% SL; pelvic-fin length 18-20% SL; pectoral-fin length 17-20% SL; first dorsal-fin height 20-23% SL; second dorsal-fin height 14-16% SL; 9-13 (7-9 in juveniles < 10 cm SL) total bars on caudal fin, 4-8 black bars on upper caudal-fin lobe, the proximal bars slightly curved, 3-6 bars on lower lobe; the bars on both lobe tips black and other bars mostly red or brown becoming black at distal inner margins of lobes (at least the black parts are retained on preserved fish); usually 2 lateral body stripes, one pale brown at mid-body from snout or eye to caudal-fin base, while the other is shorter, fainter, and more yellowish below, from the operculum or behind pectoral-fin base, sometimes a weak third yellow stripe below it (stripes not retained in preserved fish); first dorsal-fin tip pale; yellow barbels when fresh; body pale grey, somewhat darker dorsally, with faint red patches laterally and red scale markings above upper stripe (uniformly pale brown in preserved fish) (Ref. 83903).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9

Common on sand bottoms near rocky substrata or coral reefs, in very shallow water. Usually in small groups (Ref. 9947). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302).

Inhabits sheltered, often turbid inshore waters over sand or mud substrates; found near corals (Ref. 5213), in very shallow water, usually in small groups (Ref. 9947). Reported to cause hallucinations when eaten (Ref. 4690).

fisheries: commercial

Upeneus taeniopterus is a species of fish in the family Mullidae, the goatfishes. It is known commonly as the finstripe goatfish. It is a marine fish native to the Indo-Pacific region.

This species reaches about 33 centimeters long. It is pale grey in color with many small reddish patches along the dorsal surface of the body. There is a horizontal stripe from eye to tail and a paler stripe below. The tail fin has dark bars.

This fish is associated with reefs, and is usually found in shallow waters.

The fish has been reported to be hallucinogenic when consumed; however, it is commercially fished for food, generally being made into mince and other processed products.

This species has a wide distribution and is not considered to be threatened.

Inhabits sheltered, often turbid inshore waters over sand or mud substrates. Found near corals (Ref. 5213). Reported to cause hallucinations when eaten (Ref. 4690).