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Arabian monocle bream (Scolopsis ghanam) — Nemipteridae

Arabian monocle bream

Scolopsis ghanam
Family: Nemipteridae
LC · Least Concern

The Arabian monocle bream (Scolopsis ghanam) is a saltwater fish of the family Nemipteridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Indian Ocean; shallow sandy bottoms near reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Arabian monocle bream is a monocle bream (Nemipteridae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species has an elongate, silvery body with dark lengthwise bands and pale stripes. It lives near the bottom in coastal waters, usually on shallow sandy bottoms close to coral reefs. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small bottom invertebrates and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arabian monocle bream?

The Arabian monocle bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Dark longitudinal bands; bottom hunter of shallow sandy bottoms near coral reefs.

Where does the Arabian monocle bream live?

The Arabian monocle bream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Indian Ocean; shallow sandy bottoms near reefs.

How big does the Arabian monocle bream get?

The Arabian monocle bream grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Arabian monocle bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Arabian monocle bream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Arabian monocle bream edible?

Yes, the Arabian monocle bream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Arabian monocle bream (Scolopsis ghanam) — Nemipteridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Arabian monocle bream (Scolopsis ghanam) — Nemipteridae — 3
Marleen Schouten (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Arabian monocle bream (Scolopsis ghanam) — Nemipteridae — 4
Paul Varotsis (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Arabian monocle bream (Scolopsis ghanam) — Nemipteridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mbp349, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Arabian monocle bream verified
Scientific name
Scolopsis ghanam
Family
Nemipteridae
Other names
Arabian monocle bream; Arabian spinecheek; Paleband spinecheek verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Western Indian Ocean; shallow sandy bottoms near reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Dark longitudinal bands; bottom hunter of shallow sandy bottoms near coral reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Scolopsis

More from the family Nemipteridae

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