Dash & Dot Goatfish (Indian Ocean)
Goatfish are unique and active fish that are friendly with other similar sized fish. They will greedily swallow whole any small or slender fish as well as shrimp, crabs, mollusks and worms. They do not harm corals, but may knock over small decor with their whisker-like barbels. They may be kept in a group if all individuals are added at the same time.
Goatfish are busy scavengers and predators which use their strong barbels to effectively sift sand and probe through rockwork to find any scrap of food . This makes them very useful in aquariums with messy tank-mates. They are carnivores and should be fed three times a day a high quality diet of krill, silversides and chopped seafood.
The Dash & Dot goatfish has distinctive markings on its body; a dark rusty red to black stripe runs from its nose to its rear body, and there is a large spot at the base of its tail. Its body may be cream colored with yellow highlights, to rose colored with red highlights. The Dash & Dot goatfish grows to 16 inches and should be kept in an aquarium of at least 125 gallons.
