Latin name

Parupeneus barberinoides

Other name

Parupeneus barberinoides

Identification

These fish have 15-16 (usually 15) pectoral rays. They have 6-8 + 20-25 (total 28-32) gill raker. The body is moderately elongated, 3.2-3.5 cm deep; head length 2.75-3.15 cm; snout length 1.8-2.0 cm; whisker length 1.3-1.5 cm.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 7. 

Fish colouring

The head and anterior half of the body of the bicoloured goatfish are reddish-black, the posterior half white-yellow, with a black spot on the upper part almost as large as the eye. A white stripe runs from the front of the snout, above the eye, along the dorsal half of the body, and a second, almost parallel, stripe runs from the corner of the mouth to the upper pectoral fin; the caudal fin is pale yellow with a broad, dark edge and often a small red spot in the middle; antennae are red.

Distribution

Widespread in the western Pacific: from the Moluccas and Philippines to West Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and Tonga; Palau, Caroline and Marshall Islands in Micronesia. Photographed in Shark Bay, Western Australia.

Habitat

A tropical marine species found on coral reefs. Bicolour goatfish live at depths from 1 to 40 metres (3.3 to 131.2 feet). 

Size

This species can reach a length of 30 centimetres (12 inches), although most are only about 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) long. 

Behavior

Adults live alone, juveniles in schools. Usually found near coral reefs in sheltered waters such as bays or lagoons, or in deeper areas outside the reef, at least 40 metres deep. It inhabits sandy, rocky and seaweed-covered bottoms close to coral reefs. 

Food and feeding habits

A carnivorous species that feeds mainly on worms, crustaceans, brittle stars, small molluscs and sea urchins.

Reproduction

Female icolor goatfish release many floating eggs into the water, which become part of the plankton. The eggs float freely in the current until they hatch. 

Fishing

It is a commercially important species and can be found in the aquarium trade.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.