MULLIDAE Parupeneus heptacanthus (photo by Seishi Kimura) Parupeneus heptacanthus (Lacepède, 1802) Cinnabar Goatfish D VIII, 9; A I, 6; P1 15-17; LLp 27-28; GR 6-7 + 20-23. Body slightly elongate and moderately compressed. Chin with 2 moderately long slender barbels, reaching beyond rear edge of preopercle; anterodorsal profile of head convex; posterior end of maxilla evenly convex. Mouth small; a single row of stout conical teeth on jaws; no teeth on roof of mouth. Spinous and soft-rayed parts of dorsal fins separated by 3 rows of scales; 8-9 scales along dorsal edge of caudal peduncle. Color: brownish yellow to light red, the edges of scales darker, shading to silvery white below; centers of scales of back with a pale blue to pearly spot; a small reddish brown spot beneath the lateral line under the rear of the first dorsal fin; faint iridescent blue lines extending dorsoposteriorly and ventroanteriorly from eye; second dorsal and anal fins with faint blue to pink lines, alternating with yellowish. Size: maximum length about 37 cm, commonly to 25 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan and Lord Howe Island (Australia) and New Caledonia. Remarks: occurs singly or in small groups, over muddy, sandy, rubble, or seagrass bottoms of lagoon and seaward reefs, usually below 15 m. (Ukkrit Satapoomin)