Dr. John Ernest (Jack) Randall (†), Hawaii
Info
Parupeneus porphyreus inhabits lagoons and offshore reefs and spends the day in small groups under rock overhangs or among corals, while at night it scatters to feed on benthic crustaceans among rocks and corals.
Keoki Stender of Hawaii notes the following about this species:
Once widespread in shallow, rocky areas, but decimated by overfishing.
During the day, small groups can be observed resting in rock crevices or hovering near rock ledges; at night, they scatter to feed on invertebrates.
Overall bright pink with a small white oval on each side of the caudal peduncle and dark stripes extending backward from the eye; juveniles are greenish-brown on the upper side. A highly prized food fish. Reaches a length of 20 inches (68.58 cm) and a weight of 7 pounds (3.17 kg).
While there are single scientific descriptions of sightings in the Seychelles, Fiji, Samoa, and the Midway Islands, the species is only “listed” by name; there are no repeated sightings, so it is quite possible that Parupeneus porphyreus is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Species found around Hawaii have frequently been reported from the Midway Islands as well, although the distance between them is greater than 2,000 kilometers.
At night, the animals take on a distinctly different coloration.
Synonym: Pseudupeneus porphyreus Jenkins, 1903 · unaccepted
Keoki Stender of Hawaii notes the following about this species:
Once widespread in shallow, rocky areas, but decimated by overfishing.
During the day, small groups can be observed resting in rock crevices or hovering near rock ledges; at night, they scatter to feed on invertebrates.
Overall bright pink with a small white oval on each side of the caudal peduncle and dark stripes extending backward from the eye; juveniles are greenish-brown on the upper side. A highly prized food fish. Reaches a length of 20 inches (68.58 cm) and a weight of 7 pounds (3.17 kg).
While there are single scientific descriptions of sightings in the Seychelles, Fiji, Samoa, and the Midway Islands, the species is only “listed” by name; there are no repeated sightings, so it is quite possible that Parupeneus porphyreus is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.
Species found around Hawaii have frequently been reported from the Midway Islands as well, although the distance between them is greater than 2,000 kilometers.
At night, the animals take on a distinctly different coloration.
Synonym: Pseudupeneus porphyreus Jenkins, 1903 · unaccepted
