Parupeneus trifasciatus (Lacepède, 1801)
Doublebar goatfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 656.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 80 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Oman and East Africa south to South Africa and east to Christmas Island and Java, Indonesia.

Included in the Parupeneus trifasciatus complex are: Parupeneus trifasciatus from the Indian Ocean; Parupeneus crassilabris from eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, east to Fiji, Tonga, and the Caroline Islands; and Parupeneus insularis from the more eastern islands of Oceania.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Description: Occurs in 3 color forms that might represent different species. The Indian Ocean form has 2 sharply defined wedge-shaped bars become narrower and sometimes end on the belly. The Indo-Australian form has 3 very distinct dark patches and rows of yellow spots on the sides. The Pacific Plate form has 2 wide bars that extend to the belly (Ref. 37816). Head length 2.9-3.3 in SL, length of snout 1.7.-2.1 and barbel 1.5-1.9 in HL; body depth 2.8-3.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  This occasionally schooling species inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs: juveniles on reef flats, adults tend to occur around rocky or coralline areas of high vertical relief. Feeds on crustaceans at daytime and on fishes and crab larvae at night. Also feeds on worms (Ref. 6113). Occurs in 3 color forms. The Indian Ocean form has 2 sharply defined wedge-shaped bars become narrower and sometimes end on the belly. The Indo-Australian form has 3 very distinct dark patches and rows of yellow spots on the sides. The Pacific Plate form has 2 wide bars that extend to the belly (Ref. 37816). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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