Dash-and-dot goatfish (Parupeneus barberinus) fish species and information / pictures of Dash-and-dot goatfish - Parupeneus barberinus

Scientific Name
Parupeneus barberinus

Common Name
Dash-and-dot goatfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. Diagnosis: Pectoral rays 16-18 (usually 17). Gill rakers 6-7 + 20-25 (total 26-31). Body moderately elongate, depth 3.3-3.7 in SL; head length (HL) 2.6-3.0 in SL; snout length 1.45-2.1 in HL (snout relatively longer with growth); barbel length 1.4-1.6 in HL; longest dorsal spine 1.15-1.75 in HL (longer with growth); penultimate dorsal soft ray about equal to last ray in young, 1.2 in last ray in large adults; pectoral fins 1.5-1.75 in HL; pelvic fins 1.35-1.6 in HL. Body whitish with a dark brown to black stripe (red on fish in deeper water) from upper lip through eye to below posterior part of second dorsal fin or anteriorly on upper caudal peduncle; body above stripe yellow or yellowish gray; body below whitish, the scale edges narrowly gray to brownish red; a black or red spot larger than eye at midbase of caudal fin; some large adults with centers of scales below dark stripe