About Parupeneus barberinus (Lacepède, 1801)
Description: The dash-and-dot goatfish, Parupeneus barberinus, has the twin chin barbels that are typical of all goatfishes. Its base body color is white, with a black to dark brown stripe (the "dash") that runs from the upper lip, through the eye, and along the length of the body. A black spot (the "dot") sits at the base of the caudal fin, after the stripe. The portion of the body above the stripe has a yellowish tint. Individuals that live in deeper water usually have red stripes and spots instead. This species can reach a maximum total length of 60 cm, which makes it the largest species in the goatfish family Mullidae. Distribution and habitat: The dash-and-dot goatfish is counted as one of the most abundant species within the genus Parupeneus. It is found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, ranging from the east coast of Africa and the Gulf of Aden east to Micronesia, and from southern Japan south to Australia. It inhabits sandy bottoms near reef flats and lagoons, and can be found at depths down to 100 m.
