Yellow Back Goatfish (Parupeneus barberinus)

The Yellow Back Goatfish or Parupeneus barberinus is a great fish to have in the aquarium. Not only is it quite the sight to be seen with its bright yellow stripe down its body, but it will also help keep your aquarium clean by eating all the leftovers that make it to the bottom of the tank. This species of Goatfish is just one of the over 50 different kinds of Goatfish.  You can check out the Yellow Back Goatfish in action in this underwater video.


Yellow Back Goatfish have two dorsal fins on their torpedo shaped bodies. Their mouths have two barbels coming out of them. Like Catfish, these fish use their barbels to search for food on the bottom. These saltwater fish are often found in schools near the bottom where they feed on worms, crustaceans and anything else they can find.
If you are thinking of buying a Yellow Back Goatfish for your aquarium be sure that you have a large one, at least 125 gallons is recommended. These fish will grow to 1' 4" so they need lots of room for swimming and a nice sandy bottom so its barbels aren't injured. Yellow Back Goatfish are carnivores that should be fed a variety of fresh and frozen meaty foods. Don't forget though, these fish are table scrappers that feed on what the other fish leave behind. They should be fed 3-4 times daily so be ready for the commitment, or purchase yourself an automatic feeder. The following water conditions are acceptable for this fish, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, and sg 1.020-1.025.