HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishGoatfishesPointed goatfish Pointed goatfish (Parupeneus biaculeatus) Scientific name: Parupeneus biaculeatus Richardson, 1846 The Pointed goatfish (Parupeneus biaculeatus) is a marine fish of the family Mullidae. Native range: Northwest Pacific. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. Diagnosis: Pectoral rays 14-16 (usually 15, rarely 14). Gill rakers 5-7 + 20-23 (total 26-30). Body depth 3.1-3.5 in SL; head length 2.5-3.2 in SL; snout length 1.85-2.3 in HL; barbel length 1.3-1.6 in HL; third dorsal spine longest 1.15-1.8 in HL; pectoral fins 1.3-1.45 in HL; pelvic fins 1.3-1.45 in HL. Body reddish brown dorsally, white to pink ventrally with two parallel dark red to dark yellowish brown stripes on body, converging on head at base of upper lip, the uppermost passing through eye, stripes separated by a white or pink band, the lower stripe bordered below by white or pink, the upper bordered above by a yellow and white band or a light red band; a dark red to black spot within upper red or yellowish brown stripe behind eye; a faint saddle-like orangish to yellowish spot may be present anteriorly on caudal peduncle, followed by a saddle-like dusky red spot; barbelSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameParupeneus biaculeatusFamilyMullidae (Goatfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length19.0EnvironmentMarine; reef-associatedClimateSubtropicalDistributionNorthwest Pacific.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026