216 



H aw aiian Fishes 



THE GOATFISH, SURMULLET OR 

 RED MULLET FISH FAMILY 



98 Family Mullidae 



The members of the goatfish family are easily recognized by their 

 bright red or golden color and by the barbels, usually golden in color, 

 which ornament their chins. They are fishes of moderate size, small 

 mouths, and large scales. They are nearly all marked with an under layer 

 of red which appears when the fish is scaled or is put into alcohol. The 

 species are all very much alike in appearance and are a little difficult to 

 distinguish. 



In general, most of these fishes feed on small animals which they 

 find on shallow bottoms. In searching for food they use the barbels to 

 feel along the bottom. They are carnivorous fishes but they are not at 

 all voracious in their habits and they are consequently often the victims 

 of predacious fishes which feed upon them. 



The goatfishes are found along the shorelines of all of the tropical 

 seas. Some of the species stray northward, but only a few species are 

 found outside of the tropics. 



They are highly valued for food because of their white tender flesh 

 and superior flavor. Their color makes them a very interesting market fish. 



Of about forty known species, at least twenty are known from the 

 Hawaiian Islands. 



Weke 



Also known as the Weke Ula or Weke Ahulu 

 98-1 Midloidichthys aurijiamma (Forskal) 



Drown from Jordan b Evermonn 



