Animal Species:Saw-jawed Monocle Bream, Scolopsis ciliatus (Lacepède, 1802)

The Saw-jawed Monocle Bream is usually olive coloured above and white below. It has a white stripe below the dorsal fin. The species occurs in tropical marine waters.

Identification

The Saw-jawed Monocle Bream is usually olive coloured above and white below. It has a white stripe below the dorsal fin. The body has yellow spots that extend from the pectoral fin to the caudal peduncle. The upper and lower edges of the caudal fin are sometimes reddish.

Size range

The species grows to 19 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific, from the Andaman Sea, Ryukyu Islands, Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It is not known from Australian waters.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Scolopsis ciliatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Saw-jawed Monocle Bream specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Saw-jawed Monocle Breams inhabit sandy areas in lagoons and near coral reefs. They are commonly seen in small groups. The species is found at depths from 5 m to 20 m.

Feeding and Diet

Dietrary items include benthic invertebrates and small fishes.

Classification

Species:
ciliatus
Genus:
Scolopsis
Family:
Nemipteridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  2. Russell, B.C., 1990. Nemipterid fishes of the world. (Threadfin breams, whiptail breams, monocle breams, dwarf monocle breams, and coral breams). Family Nemipteridae. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of nemipterid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synops. 12(125):1-149.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Saw-jawed Monocle Bream, Scolopsis ciliatus, Nemipteridae, olive, white underside, white stripe, tropical water, marine, yellow spots, dots/spots, 10 cm - 30 cm, sandy areas, lagoon, coral reef,