The Parupeneus barberinus, like other goatfishes, uses its barbels to probe the bottom in search of food; when prey animals are found, it roots into the sand with its snout.
Details
§ 01
size
Common to 30 cm; max. 50 cm
color
Pale brown to reddish brown dorsally shading to whitish on sides and ventrally. A dark reddish brown stripe from snout through eye below rear of anal fin. A black spot larger than eye just anterior to midbase of caudal fin.
This species is typically found in shallow sandy areas, but has been reported to exist as deep as 100 meters. Its diet consists mainly of benthic crustaceans and polychaetes.
distinctive characters
The first dorsal fin has 8 spines, the second dorsal fin has 1 spine and 8 rays, the anal fin has 1 spine and 6 rays, and the pectoral fin has 16-18 (usually 17) rays. The body is slightly elongated and has a depth of 3.2-3.5 inches in standard length. The chin has two slender barbels which are shorter than or equal to the length of the snout plus eye, and the snout is long. There are 3 vertical rows of scales in the space between the dorsal fins.