Barbelled Eel Pout

In addition to meristic counts, B. multibarbata differs from B. townsendi by possessing a larger eye (width>interorbital space) and having slightly different coloration (dark brown with a submarginal black band and narrow white border on the dorsal and anal fins versus greenish to orange brown with orange-bordered dorsal and anal fins).Description: Characterized by grey to brownish color grading to white on abdomen and lower head; small juvenile translucent with dark grey spots; longitudinal scales 144-181; three pairs of barbels on snout; three pairs of barbels on chin; body depth 4.4-7.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 109 - 139; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 80 - 106

Is a diurnally secretive species. Swims out on the reef after dark but is mostly exposed only during transit from one crevice to another (Ref. 13550). Benthopelagic on shelf and upper slope (Ref. 34024). Also found in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs and occurs at depths of at least 220 m. Adults (30-90 cm) move to depths of 100-650 m (Ref. 58472). A nocturnal species, rarely seen for it lives in caves and crevices during the day and periodically emerges from cover at night to feed on crustaceans, mainly crabs, and fishes. Larvae found in the epipelagic far offshore (Ref. 34024).

Benthopelagic on shelf and upper slope (Ref. 34024). Larvae found in the epipelagic far offshore (Ref. 34024). Found in shallow lagoon and seaward reefs and occurs at depths of at least 220 m. Adults (30-90 cm) move to depths of 100-650 m (Ref. 58472). A nocturnal species, rarely seen for it lives in caves and crevices during the day and periodically emerges from cover at night to feed on crustaceans, mainly crabs, and fishes. Oviparous, with oval pelagic eggs floating in a gelatinous mass (Ref. 205). Utilized fresh and eaten steamed, pan-fried and baked (Ref. 9987). Also Ref. 58302.

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: medium; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於印度-太平洋區，西起紅海、東非，東至夏威夷及皮特康島，北至日本南部，南至羅得豪島皆有分布。臺灣分布於南部、西南部、北部及東北部等海域。

一般為底拖網、延繩釣等漁法捕獲。屬於罕見的魚類，除了學術研究之外，由於有些腥味，比較不受一般人喜愛，食用的經濟價值並不大，因此幾乎看不見市場販售。

體圓而延長，近尾部處則是逐漸側扁。在其吻端及下頜，各有三對鬚。在鰓蓋骨的後方有一根強棘，但是往往被表皮所覆蓋。背鰭和臀鰭非常的長，一直延伸至尾鰭部位，相癒合在一起，背鰭鰭條數109-139，臀鰭鰭條數80-106；腹鰭位於喉部，已經退化成2條延長絲狀鰭；尾鰭鰭條數10。體呈茶褐色，其中腹部及胸鰭處的顏色較淡，背鰭和臀鰭的外緣顏色則較深。

主要棲息於沿岸淺礁區到深及650公尺之海域均有，產卵期在每7-8月。晝間棲身於洞隙中，夜間出外捕食小魚、小蝦蟹等。

Brotula barbata, commonly known as the goatsbeard brotula, is a species of cusk-eel in the genus Brotula. It lives in the Indo-Pacific, in depths of up to 300 meters. It is dark brown with a submarginal black band and narrow white border on the dorsal and anal fins versus greenish to orange brown with orange-bordered dorsal and anal fins, and it grows up to be around 100 centimeters. It has a carnivorous diet, and it is oviparous.

Inhabits shallow lagoon and seaward reefs and occurs at depths of at least 220 m. May be found at 650 m (Ref. 5213). Rarely seen for it lives in caves and crevices during the day and periodically emerges from cover at night to feed on crustaceans, mainly crabs, and fishes. Utilized fresh and eaten steamed, pan-fried and baked (Ref. 9987).

Known from seamounts and knolls