Manybar Goatfish - (No Online Purchases)

The Manybar Goatfish, scientifically known as Parupeneus multifasciatus, is a captivating and distinctive marine fish often seen in the aquarium trade. It's recognizable by its unique appearance and foraging behavior.

Here's a detailed look at the Manybar Goatfish:

Key Characteristics:

• Appearance: Their coloration is quite variable, ranging from light gray to reddish-brown, sometimes with yellow or blue accents on the edges of scales. The most distinguishing features are the three to four wide, dark bars on its body, including a prominent dark bar at the base of the tail, which differentiates it from other barred goatfish. They also often have a dark streak behind the eye. Juveniles can have vibrant red and yellow hues that may subdue as they mature. Males can reach up to 35 cm (14 inches) in length, while females are generally smaller, around 18 cm (7 inches).
• Barbels (Whiskers): A defining characteristic of all goatfish, including the Manybar, is the pair of long, sensory barbels (often referred to as "whiskers") protruding from their chin. They use these barbels to actively sift through sand and rubble in search of food.
• Temperament: Generally considered peaceful, but their foraging behavior can disturb smaller, sedentary invertebrates.
• Lifespan: With proper care, they can live for several years in captivity.

Habitat and Distribution:

• Natural Range: The Manybar Goatfish is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, Marquesas, and Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, and south to Lord Howe Island and Rapa Islands.
• Preferred Environment: They are reef-associated fish found in shallow water environments, including reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs. They spend a lot of time in the benthic zone (bottom dwelling) over sand patches, rubble, consolidated limestone, or coral bottoms. They can be found at depths from 0 to over 160 meters (0-528 feet).
• Social Behavior: They can be found alone, in small loose groups, or occasionally in larger schools. Larger adults are sometimes solitary.

Diet and Feeding:

• Carnivorous Foragers: Manybar Goatfish are diurnal (daytime) feeders. They are specialized benthic feeders, using their barbels to constantly sift through the sand and substrate.
• Natural Diet: Their primary diet in the wild consists of small crustaceans (like crabs and shrimps), worms, small brittle stars, mollusks, demersal fish eggs, and foraminiferans (single-celled organisms).
• Aquarium Diet: In captivity, they require a varied diet of meaty foods. It's crucial to provide multiple feedings throughout the day to satisfy their active foraging:
  • High-quality frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, and finely chopped seafood (squid, clam, fish flesh).
  • Sinking pellets designed for carnivores.
  • They will also pick at live foods such as ghost shrimp or black worms if offered.
• Substrate Requirement: A deep sand bed (at least 3-4 inches or 7-10 cm) is essential in the aquarium. This allows them to exhibit their natural sifting behavior, which is vital for their well-being and helps them find uneaten food particles.

Aquarium Care:

• Tank Size: Due to their adult size and active foraging nature, a minimum tank size of 120 gallons (around 450 liters) is generally recommended for a single Manybar Goatfish. Larger tanks (150-200+ gallons) are even better, especially if you plan to keep more than one or have other active tankmates.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 23-26°C (73-79°F)
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Salinity: 1.020-1.025 specific gravity
  • Alkalinity (dKH): 8-12 dKH
• Aquascaping: As mentioned, a deep sand bed is crucial. Provide plenty of live rock for hiding places and to break up lines of sight. Ensure there are open sandy areas for them to sift without too many obstructions.
• Reef Safe: Generally considered "reef safe with caution." While they won't typically bother corals, their constant sand sifting can disturb corals placed directly on the sand bed and may sometimes topple unstable rockwork. They are also known to consume small ornamental invertebrates like certain small crabs, snails, and shrimp that live in the sand. Therefore, if you have a delicate cleanup crew or specific benthic inverts you wish to protect, this should be considered.
• Compatibility:
  • Generally peaceful towards other fish, but their persistent digging can be an issue for very shy or bottom-dwelling species that prefer undisturbed sand.
  • Avoid keeping them with very aggressive tankmates that might bully them, or very small, slow-moving fish that could be outcompeted for food.
  • Can be kept with other medium to large, peaceful to semi-aggressive marine fish.
  • They can sometimes be kept in groups, especially in very large tanks, but it's often safer to keep a single specimen or a known pair.
• Maintenance: Excellent water quality is paramount. Regular and thorough water changes are necessary, especially considering their messy feeding habits and potential for disturbing substrate. Good filtration is also important.

Considerations for the Aquarist:

• Sand Sifting: Be prepared for a constantly rearranged sand bed! This is normal and healthy for the fish, but it means corals or rockwork placed directly on the sand may be moved or covered.
• Food Availability: Ensure a consistent supply of food that reaches the bottom, as they primarily feed from the substrate.
• Hardiness: Once acclimated, Manybar Goatfish are generally quite hardy, but their specific feeding requirements and need for a mature, spacious tank make them a moderate to difficult fish to keep long-term.