Parupeneus nansen Randall & Heemstra, 2009
Nansen goatfish
photo by Uiblein et al., 2018

Family:  Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Max. size:  13.9 cm SL (male/unsexed); 11.4 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 36 - 51 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique and probably Somalia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal soft rays: 7-7; Vertebrae: 24-24. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 15 or 16 pectoral-fin rays; 6 or 7 + 21-23 gill rakers; moderately elongate body, depth 3.6-3.85 in SL; head length 2.85-2.95 in SL; interorbital space flat medially; snout length 1.9-2.05 in HL; interorbital space flat medially; maxilla symmetrically rounded posteriorly; depth of maxilla 5.05-5.3 in HL; barbel length 1.35-1.45 in HL; longest dorsal spine 1.85-2.0 in HL; pectoral fins 1.35-1.4 in HL; pelvic fins 1.5-1.6 in HL. Color in alcohol pale tan, scale edges a little darker; a faint orangish brown stripe following lateral line; no dark spot on eighth lateral-line scale; fins are translucent pale yellowish; when fresh light yellowish grey dorsally, the scale edges narrowly red, grading to silvery grey below, the red edges of scales progressively fainter ventrally; head broadly red dorsally, grading to silvery white on cheek and operculum; white barbels; three large deep pink to red spots on caudal fin, one in each lobe and one at midbase of fin (Ref. 82838).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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