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Barred-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis monogramma) — Nemipteridae

Barred-face spine-cheek

Scolopsis monogramma
Family: Nemipteridae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis monogramma) is a saltwater fish of the family Nemipteridae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy bottoms close to reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The monogrammed monocle bream is a monocle bream (Nemipteridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, silvery body; juveniles bear conspicuous lengthwise stripes that fade in adults to an irregular, monogram-like pattern on the head. It lives on sand bottoms close to reefs, often in silty habitats, solitarily or in small groups. As a bottom predator it feeds on small fishes and invertebrates. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred-face spine-cheek?

The Barred-face spine-cheek has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Juveniles striped, adults with a monogram-like marking on the head; bottom-dwelling predator of sandy bottoms.

Where does the Barred-face spine-cheek live?

The Barred-face spine-cheek lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; sandy bottoms close to reefs.

How big does the Barred-face spine-cheek get?

The Barred-face spine-cheek grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.

Is the Barred-face spine-cheek dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred-face spine-cheek is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred-face spine-cheek edible?

Yes, the Barred-face spine-cheek is commonly eaten.

More photos

Barred-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis monogramma) — Nemipteridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) duncanberry, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis monogramma) — Nemipteridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis monogramma) — Nemipteridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Nathan Cook, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barred-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis monogramma) — Nemipteridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) L Timmo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Barred-face spine-cheek verified
Scientific name
Scolopsis monogramma
Family
Nemipteridae
Other names
Latice spinecheek; Lattice monocle bream; Lattice spinecheek; Monocle bream; Monogrammed monocle bream; Monocle-bream; Monogram spinecheek; Monogrammed monocle-bream; Rainbow bream; Rainbow monocle bream; Regal coral bream; Threadfin bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Average length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; sandy bottoms close to reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and invertebrates 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
Juveniles striped, adults with a monogram-like marking on the head; bottom-dwelling predator of sandy bottoms. 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

Fin

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