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Beche De Mer
(Sea Cucumber - Trepang)

Also known as Goatfish

Red Mullet are caught in demersal otter trawl fisheries in northern Australia.  In southern Australia, they are mainly caught as a by-catch in inshore seine net fisheries.

There is a limited high value market for domestic consumption of larger fish.  The smaller Red Mullet are popular with South Australian consumers.

Red Mullet are demersal fish and sue their barbels to search for food.  They reach maximum size of 35-50cm fork length.

Goatfishes are found on rocky reefs and sand patches among reefs from 5-100m depth. They feed on the bottom using their two sensitive chin barbels to dig into the sediment and locate food items. Small goatfish forage on the bottom in loose schools, hunting for invertebrates such as small crustaceans and worms. In contrast, large individuals (20-40cm in length) also feed on small fishes. Divers have reported seeing adult goatfish hunting in packs, herding prey fishes such as triplefins so they can be more easily caught.

Angling for Red Mullet or Goatfish:

Although goatfishes have been occasionally caught on small baited hooks, the recent popularity of fishing soft-plastic fish baits means red mullet and perhaps rare tropical species will become more common in anglers’ catches.

Anglers do not often catch goatfishes, which are readily observed underwater. However, our common red mullet can be captured on soft-plastics.

Saltwater Fish - What bait to use for fishing - a list of saltwater baits with the main "diners" who will be tempted.

Cooking Red Mullet or Goatfish:

Microwave Cooking Times for Fish
- Fish fillets – 5 minutes per 500g on medium-high, +50 seconds more for thicker fillets, or until flesh flakes.
- Whole fish - Large – 6 minutes/750g on medium
- Whole fish – Small – 3-4 minutes on medium

Red Mullet are caught in demersal otter trawl fisheries in northern Australia.  In southern Australia, they are mainly caught as a by-catch in inshore seine net fisheries.