Rapid Colour Change in the Bluelined Goatfish (Upeneichthys lineatus)

Understanding scenarios and mechanisms by which fish communicate provides further insight into the evolution of sociality. This is the first assessment of the potential drivers of rapid colour change in a temperate Australian goatfish, Upeneichthys lineatus. U. lineatus rapidly change colour from a white to a dark red banded pattern when eating. Conspecifics can perceive the change in colour and pattern, likely providing advantage in intraspecific signalling. The dark red pattern is likely a foraging signal to other fishes, potentially providing increased food resources and benefiting U. lineatus through increased predator protection.