Parupeneus pleurostigma is a fairly common goatfish in the Maldives, and the males of this and other species of goatfishes wriggle their barbels rapidly during courtship.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 30 cm
color
Pale yellowish-brown to light red, shading to white or pale pink ventrally. A large round black spot on lateral line below the gap between dorsal fins with a pale area behind it.
Located close to coral reefs, this creature sustains itself by consuming benthic invertebrates.
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 rays. The body is moderately elongate and has a depth of 3.5-3.9 inches in standard length. The barbels reach up to the rear margin of the preopercle, and there are 2-3 rows of scales between the dorsal fins. Additionally, there are 8 or 9 vertical scale rows along the upper part of the caudal peduncle.