About Upeneichthys lineatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Upeneichthys lineatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) has a small mouth with fleshy lips. Each jaw holds a single row of conical teeth. Like all other members of the family Mullidae, this species has two fleshy barbels on its chin. This fish shows extensive colour variation, ranging from pale cream to deep red. It typically has blue and gold lines on the face, plus thin yellow lines and blue dots along its flanks and tail. It has a distinct mid-lateral stripe, and yellow stripes on its dorsal and anal fins. The maximum recorded total length for this species is 31 centimetres (12 in). Its dorsal fins have 9 spines and 8 rays, while its anal fins have 1 spine and 6 rays. Upeneichthys lineatus is endemic to temperate seas off eastern and southeastern Australia. Its range extends from around Fraser Island, Queensland in the north, south to Tasmania, and west as far as Lakes Entrance, Victoria. Additional potential areas of occurrence are covered in the Taxonomy section. This species lives on sandy bottoms in sheltered waters, including bays and harbours. It uses its sensory barbels to probe sediment for prey. It can be found over a variety of substrates, from smooth bottoms to bottoms covered in rock and shell. It frequently forages along the seabed in small schools, at depths between 5 and 200 metres (16–656 ft). Its teeth are relatively fine, and it lacks crushing molar-like teeth. It preys on small molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and fishes, as well as larger soft-bodied animals similar to polychaetes. This species has separate sexes, with external fertilisation. Spawning takes place above the seabed, and both eggs and larvae are pelagic.
