Home > Fishes > Goatfishes > Parupeneus cyclostomus

Updated 4/28/2022

Family Mullidae

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Parupeneus cyclostomus

Juvenile, Puako, Hawaii, 30 feet

 

Angel Ledge, Midway, 85 feet

Puako, Hawaii, 50 feet

 

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 30 feet

Mokuleia, Oahu, 100 feet

 

Mokuleia, Oahu, 100 feet

 

Waimea Bay, Oahu, 25 feet

 

Juvenile, Firehouse, Oahu, 20 feet

 



Juvenile, Sharks Cove, Oahu, 20 feet

Yellow form, Faga'alu, Samoa, 10 feet



Kuata, Fiji, 6 feet



Paradise Taveuni, Fiji, 10 feet



Palau, 6 feet


Palau, 10 feet



Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 4 feet



Kuki'o, Hawaii, 8 feet

 BLUE GOATFISH        moano 'ukali ulua

Small foraging parties are occasionally seen at scuba depths as they actively pursue small fish using long barbels to force them out of hiding.  This pack is frequently trailed by opportunistic jacks, wrasses, and morays.  Gray or reddish-brown with iridescent blue spots and a yellow saddle ahead of the tail.  Bright yellow individuals do not occur in Hawaii but are not uncommon elsewhere.  Known locally as moana kali and moano kea.  Attains 20 inches and 7 pounds.  Hawai'i and the Indo-Pacific.