Home · Nemipteridae · Black-and-white monocle bream
Black-and-white monocle bream (Scolopsis lineata) — Nemipteridae

Black-and-white monocle bream

Scolopsis lineata
Family: Nemipteridae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-and-white monocle bream (Scolopsis lineata) is a saltwater fish of the family Nemipteridae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 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 Pacific; coral reefs near sandy areas.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The striped monocle bream is a reef fish of the monocle bream family (Nemipteridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a pale body with conspicuous yellow and blue-black longitudinal stripes on the upper back. It is common on coral reefs, usually near sandy areas. As a bottom predator it feeds on small crustaceans, polychaete worms and small fishes. Monocle breams owe their name to a backward-directed spine below the eye. The striped monocle bream is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-and-white monocle bream?

The Black-and-white monocle bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Yellow and blue-black longitudinal stripes; backward-pointing spine below the eye.

Where does the Black-and-white monocle bream live?

The Black-and-white monocle bream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; coral reefs near sandy areas.

How big does the Black-and-white monocle bream get?

The Black-and-white monocle bream grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Black-and-white monocle bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-and-white monocle bream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-and-white monocle bream edible?

Yes, the Black-and-white monocle bream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Black-and-white monocle bream (Scolopsis lineata) — Nemipteridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Bruce Deagle (CC BY 4.0)
Black-and-white monocle bream (Scolopsis lineata) — Nemipteridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Vincent Kruger (CC0)
Black-and-white monocle bream (Scolopsis lineata) — Nemipteridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Adelma Hills, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black-and-white monocle bream (Scolopsis lineata) — Nemipteridae — 5
Timothy E Myer (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Black-and-white monocle bream verified
Scientific name
Scolopsis lineata
Family
Nemipteridae
Other names
Black-and-white spinecheek; Green-lined spine-cheek; Latticed monocle bream; Latticed monocle-bream; Striped monocle bream; Lined monocle bream; Striped spinecheek; Lined monacle bream; Lined spinecheek; Lined spine-cheek; Monocle bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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 Pacific; coral reefs near sandy areas. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, polychaetes 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
Yellow and blue-black longitudinal stripes; backward-pointing spine below the eye. 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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