Description:

Dorsal spines: 8; Dorsal rays: 9; Anal spines: 1; Anal rays: 7.

Body moderately elongate. Barbels long reaching close to posterior of head. Mouth small, maxilla reaching about 3/5 distance to front edge of eye. Single series of well-spaced,
stout, conical teeth in jaws.

Colour: Body reddish to purple brown, paler ventrally and posteriorly with a broad dark brown to black stripe running through eye, along lateral line to below rear base of 
second dorsal fin. A roundish black spot on caudal peduncle. A broad white zone extending anterior to peduncular spot to below posterior part of second dorsal fin. 
A vertical pale blue line or spot on scales of body below dark stripe, and pale blue lines on margin of dark stripe on snout. Barbels pale to white. First dorsal and caudal 
fins reddish grey to brown; basal third to half of second dorsal fin black, the dark pigment continuing to end of last ray and adjacent membrane, outer part of fin with 
narrow pale blue and yellow stripes. Lateral edge of pelvic fins broadly blackish.

Maturity: Lm 12.3 cm TL. Range unknown. Max Length: 40.0 cm TL (in Seychelles typically much smaller). Commonly to 20 cm TL.
 

Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs over sand and weedy substrates (depth 2-40 m). It occurs singly or in small loose aggregations. Uses barbels to probe sediment for 
crustaceans and worms.  
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in the fish trap fishery, but is a relatively uncommon component of the catch.
 

In water photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 

Bray, D.J. (2016). Parupeneus macronemus in Fishes of Australia, http://136.154.202.208/home/species/4940 (18/04/20).
Fischer, W. & G. Bianchi (eds), (1984).  FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Western Indian Ocean; (Fishing Area 51). Prepared and printed with the 
support of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, vols 1-6.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Parupeneus-macronemus (05/06/19).
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. & Williams, I. (2016). Parupeneus macronemus (errata version 2017). The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T46086601A46664729.en. (18/04/20).

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Parupeneus macronemus, Long-barbel goatfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/parupeneus-macronemus-lacepede-1801/ (edited 27/07/22).