
Goldsaddle goatfish
Parupeneus cyclostomus
Overview
Parupeneus cyclostomus, commonly known as the yellow-saddle goatfish, blue goatfish or bright goatfish, is one of 66 currently known species of goatfish. The characteristic yellow patch, or saddle, located on the upper part of the fish's caudal peduncle, gives the yellow-saddle goatfish their common name. Different life stages of this fish may be found at varying depths, however, most yellow-saddle goatfish remain at around 20 metres (70 ft) of depth or in coastal regions with reefs. They can be found in isolation or small schools, and often rely on each other for hunting purposes. Native to the Indo-Pacific, this reef-dweller occurs primarily in tropical and temperate habitats. It is a commercially important species and has recently been considered an environmental indicator to gauge the impact of habitat modification, coastal degradation, pollution, and commercial fisheries. Yellow-saddle goatfish, along with other species of goatfish, is of high economic importance in many parts of the world as both a source of food and for the aquarium trade. Goatfish are often sought out as game fish, though they have been reported to carry the ciguatera toxin.
Best Baits & Lures
Live Baits
- Small shrimp
Effective when presented near the bottom.
- Squid strips
Durable and releases a strong scent.
- Sandworms
Goatfish are attracted to their movement.
- Small crabs
A natural food source in their habitat.
- Mussels
Crushed slightly to release scent.
Artificial Lures
- Berkley Gulp! SandwormSoft PlasticBuy
Fish it slowly near the seabed.
- Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow F1140-CBBLCrankbaitBuy
Retrieve with pauses near reefs.
- Daiwa Silver Creek Minnow 50SMinnowBuy
Twitch and pause retrieve is effective.
- Halco Twisty 40gSpoonBuy
Cast and retrieve near the bottom.
- Owner Block Head Jig 1/4 ozJigBuy
Tip with shrimp for added attraction.
Techniques
Use a slow retrieve with pauses, as Goldsaddle goatfish are bottom feeders and not particularly fast swimmers; target areas with sandy bottoms near reefs.
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Where to Find Goldsaddle goatfish
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bait for Goldsaddle goatfish?+
Popular baits for Goldsaddle goatfish include Small shrimp, Squid strips, Sandworms, Small crabs, Mussels. Tip: Use a slow retrieve with pauses, as Goldsaddle goatfish are bottom feeders and not particularly fast swimmers; target areas with sandy bottoms near reefs.
Where can I catch Goldsaddle goatfish?+
Goldsaddle goatfish can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include California, United States; Hawaii, United States. WikiCatch lists 4 fishing spots where this species is found.
How big do Goldsaddle goatfish get?+
Goldsaddle goatfish (Parupeneus cyclostomus) can reach up to 50 cm in length and 2.3 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is LC.
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