Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture

Unit 5- Major groups of Fisheries in India

5.3.5a. Goatfishes
Goatfishes also called red mullets belong to the family, Mullidae. They are small sized fishes with a maximum size of 33 cm (Upeneus taeniopterus). Sixteen species of goat fishes belonging to three genera occur along the Indian coast. They are Mulloides flavolineatus, M. vanicolensis, Parupeneus bifasciatus, P. indicus, P. barberinus, P. macronema, P. cinnabarinus, P. cyclostomus, Upeneus molccensis, U. sulphureus, U. vittatus, U. oligospilus, U. bensasi, U. sundaicus, U.tragula and U. taeniopterus. Of these, the eight species of the genus Upeneus contribute to the bulk of the fishery. They inhabit shallow coastal waters with sandy or muddy bottom and their concentration is generally restricted to a depth of 40 m or less and they rarely occur beyond 60 m depth. A few species are often associated with coral reefs. Upeneus sulphureus often enters estuaries. U. sulphureus, U. vittatus and U. bensasi form small schools whereas other species such as U. tragula are solitary.
Production trend
Catch of goat fish was just 1,344 t in 1961. Since 1986, the catch increased and reached a peak of 33,132 t in 1991, but it started decreasing since 1991. The maximum landing was along the southeast coast (1961-2000) forming about 55 % to the total goatfish landings in India.
Recent production

Mode of exploitation
Bottom trawlers exploit the maximum amount of goatfishes as bycatch. However, drift gillnets, bottom set gillnets and hooks and lines are also in use.
Food and feeding
Goatfishes are mid-level carnivores. They feed almost exclusively on crustaceans, especially penaeid shrimps, crabs and small fishes.
Age and growth
The goatfishes are small sized fishes and their maximum size is about 30 cm. Life span of these species is about 3 years. However, O-year group dominates the catch.
Spawning season
The goatfishes have prolonged spawning periods from February - November with a peak season from June - August with little variation among different species.
Utilization
The goattishes are mostly consumed in fresh condition. Smaller ones are sundried for human consumption. Though the flesh of the goatfishes is of good quality, they are priced low due to their small size. Hence, they are common in the diet of poor people.
Management
Target fishery does not exist for goatfishes. However, they are one of the dominant groups in the by-catch of the trawls. Juveniles are overexploited in several regions. Hence, it is necessary to implement management measures to sustain the fishery.