Yellow Back Goatfish

Parupeneus barberinus

Saltwater Fish Species Group: Goatfish Family: Mullidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Yellow Back Goatfish

General information

Goatfish hardy characters actively patrol the sand bed to satisfy their appetites, making them a unique addition to your FOWLR cleanup crew. Torpedo-shaped Goatfishes have a triangular cross-section, two separate dorsal fins, a slightly underslung mouth, and two distinctive firm barbels protruding from their chins. They use these whiskers to probe and taste for invertebrates buried in the substrate. Like goats, they roam in groups and forage the bottom for anything edible; worms, crustaceans, mollusks and other small invertebrates are staples. A large aquarium with plenty of swimming room is recommended, and it needs non-aggressive tank mates. The bottom of the tank should be sandy so it may use its barbels to sift through the substrate in search of food. Because it eats invertebrates, the nitrogen load capacity of the sand will be reduced and it will be well-oxygenated due to the sifting.

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