Home · Nemipteridae · Barned-face spine-cheek
Barned-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis margaritifera) — Nemipteridae

Barned-face spine-cheek

Scolopsis margaritifera
Family: Nemipteridae
LC · Least Concern

The Barned-face spine-cheek (Scolopsis margaritifera) is a saltwater fish of the family Nemipteridae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
28 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The pearly monocle bream is a reef fish of the monocle bream family (Nemipteridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a streamlined, brownish body with a pearly sheen and fine pale markings. It lives on sand bottoms close to coral reefs. As a bottom predator it feeds on crustaceans, polychaete worms and small fishes. Monocle breams owe their name to a spine below the eye, pointing backward. The pearly monocle bream is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

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

The Barned-face spine-cheek has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Barned-face spine-cheek live?

The Barned-face spine-cheek lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

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

The Barned-face spine-cheek grows to a maximum of about 28 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

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

No, the Barned-face spine-cheek is harmless to humans.

Is the Barned-face spine-cheek edible?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Parel-monocelbrasem sourced
English name
Barned-face spine-cheek verified
Scientific name
Scolopsis margaritifera
Family
Nemipteridae
Other names
Blue and yellow monocle bream; Margarite's spinecheek; Monocle bream; Pearly monacle bream; Pearly monocle bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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