Parupeneus biaculeatus (Richardson 1846)

Diagnosis: Pectoral rays 14-16 (usually 15, rarely 14). Gill rakers 5-7 + 20-23 (total 26-30). Body depth 3.1-3.5 in SL; head length 2.5-3.2 in SL; snout length 1.85-2.3 in HL; barbel length 1.3-1.6 in HL; third dorsal spine longest 1.15-1.8 in HL; pectoral fins 1.3-1.45 in HL; pelvic fins 1.3-1.45 in HL. Body reddish brown dorsally, white to pink ventrally with two parallel dark red to dark yellowish brown stripes on body, converging on head at base of upper lip, the uppermost passing through eye, stripes separated by a white or pink band, the lower stripe bordered below by white or pink, the upper bordered above by a yellow and white band or a light red band; a dark red to black spot within upper red or yellowish brown stripe behind eye; a faint saddle-like orangish to yellowish spot may be present anteriorly on caudal peduncle, followed by a saddle-like dusky red spot; barbels; fins pale red to pink, the tip of upper caudal lobe whitish to pale pink (Ref. 54393).

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 7

Inhabits sandy areas around shallow rocky reefs and coral communities, especially shallower than 10 m (Ref. 36558). Feeds on crustaceans, foraminiferans and polychaetes (Ref. 36558).