The goatfish is very common in the upper half of the North Island, it is sometimes called a red mullet.

The goatfish is is just about always seen foraging in small schools in clean clear water amongst small rubble or sandy or muddy areas adjacent to rocky reefs. The young are often found in eelgrass beds.

Goat fish grow to around 1' or 30 cm long.

Red goatfish have a pair of long, fleshy barbels by the mouth. The dorsal fins are widely separated. They eat shrimp and crabs along the bottom, as well as other small crustaceans. They probe for this food by using their barbels under the chin.

Red goatfish vary from a pale pink to a red colour, they have yellow fins and blue lines and spots on their heads. They also have several dark spots on the sides.