Page 128 - Invasive_Species_2013

Mediterranean invasive species factsheet

FISHES

Reproduction Common name: Por's goatfish

identification Head round and 7 spines
pointed

Scientific Name:
Upeneus pori
Picture

Brief history caudal fin and dorsal fins
Reddish brown bars on upper

Key identifying features

This is a medium-sized fish up to 19 cm in length
(commonly 5–14 cm) with an elongated, moderately
compressed body. It has a rounded snout with two
short, thin barbels. Two well-separated dorsal fins are
present; the first of them has 7 spines and the
second has 8–10 soft rays, lying directly above the
anal fin (which has 1 spine and 6–8 soft rays). The
tail fin is deeply forked.
The back and sides of this goatfish are mottled
reddish-brown and the belly is white. The tail fin
lobes are striped with 3–7 reddish-brown bars with
white interspaces on the upper lobe and 4–5 of the
same colour on the lower lobe. Upeneus pori. Photo: A. Can - www.alpcan.com

Field identification signs and habitat Reproduction
This species is typically found in waters to a depth of The spawning season for Por's goatfish lasts from
50 m on sandy, gravel and muddy seabeds. It feeds March to September. The eggs and larvae are
on small benthic invertebrates, mainly crustaceans planktonic and larvae settle 6–9 months after
and, to a lesser extent, polychaetes. hatching, upon reaching a length of 3–4 cm.

Upeneus pori. Photo: P. Consoli

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