About Parupeneus pleurostigma (Bennett, 1831)
Parupeneus pleurostigma, also known by its scientific binomial Parupeneus pleurostigma (Bennett, 1831), reaches a total length of 20 to 33 centimetres (7.9 to 13.0 inches). It has nine dorsal soft rays, seven anal soft rays, and sixteen pectoral rays. Its snout is slightly convex, and the margin of its caudal-fin lobes ranges from straight to slightly convex. Its body color varies from pinkish to yellowish gray, with a broad black spot along the lateral line that is sometimes followed by a large pinkish spot. A black band is present below the basal dorsal fin, and blue spots appear on the scales located above the lateral line. The two barbels that extend from its chin are pale pink to white. This species is native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, where its range extends from East Africa to Hawaii, the Line Islands, Marquesas Islands, and Tuamotus, and from the Ryukyu Islands to Lord Howe Island, Rapa Iti, and French Polynesia. These are tropical benthopelagic goatfishes. They are found mainly in island waters, occurring on coral and rocky seaward reefs, over sandy and coral bottoms, and in shallow lagoons, at depths between 40 and 120 metres (130 to 390 feet).
