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.
order
Perciformes
family
Mullidae
habitat and biology
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.