Side-spot goatfish :

EnglishName: Side-spot goatfish
Local Name : Lah kalhuoh’
Size : Max. 30 cm
Family: MULLIDAE
Order : Perciformes
Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 8 spines, second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 8 rays. Anal fin with 1 spine and 6 rays. Pectoral fin with 16 rays. Body depth 3.5-3.9 in standard length. Body moderately elongate. Barbels reaching about to rear margin of preopercle. 2-3 rows of scales in space between dorsal fins. 8 or 9 vertical scale rows along upper part of caudal peduncle.
Colour: Pale yellowish-brown to light red, shading to white or pale pink ventrally. A large round black spot on lateral line below the gap between dorsal fins with a pale area behind it.
Habitat and Biology: Found near coral reefs. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.
Remarks: Parupeneus pleurostigma is a fairly common goatfish in the Maldives. The males of this and other species of goatfishes wriggle their barbels rapidly during courtship.

Search