Ptereleotris Rubristigma

Body pale bluish gray; a broad blackish bar from orbit across corner of mouth onto chin, including median barbel; iris yellow, upper and lower edges, deep blue; opercle with blue markings; an orange-red curved spot at pectoral fin base; pelvic fins yellowish white with pale blue distal margin. Prolonged 2nd spine of 1st dorsal fin in sub adults and adults. Median barbel followed by 3 - 4 very small ones. Species named melanopogon in reference to black barbel on chin

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26 - 28; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 23 - 25; Vertebrae: 26

Occurs over sand or sand and rubble bottoms. Burrows occasionally. Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972).