Parupeneus forsskali (Fourmanoir & Guézé, 1976)

Size

Parupeneus forsskali, commonly called the Red Sea goatfish, reaches a common length of around 25 centimeters (9.8 inches), while males can grow to a maximum length of 28 centimeters (11 inches).

Body Shape

This species has a relatively elongated body, a pointed snout, and the twin chin barbels that are characteristic of all goatfishes.

Fin Structure

It has eight dorsal spines, nine soft dorsal rays, and seven soft anal rays.

Body Coloration

Its body is white, with a broad black to dark brown stripe that sometimes takes on a reddish tint; this stripe runs from the upper lip through the eye and along the length of the body.

Caudal Peduncle Marking

After the stripe, there is an irregular, roundish black spot at the base of the yellow caudal peduncle.

Dorsal Body Color

The area of the body above the stripe is grayish green.

Fin Coloration

The caudal fin is yellow, and the second dorsal and anal fins have narrow blue and yellow stripes.

Native Range

This species is endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Mediterranean Introduction

It has also been present in the Mediterranean Sea since its first confirmed sighting there in 2012.

Habitat and Depth Range

It is a marine subtropical fish that lives on shallow sandy bottoms, at depths ranging from 1 to 45 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 147 feet 8 inches).