Saw-jawed Monocle Bream, Scolopsis ciliata (Lacepède, 1802)
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© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Scolopsis
- Species
- ciliatus
- Family
- Nemipteridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to 19 cm in length.
Introduction
The Saw-jawed Monocle Bream is usually olive coloured with 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.
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.
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.
Feeding and diet
Dietrary items include benthic invertebrates and small fishes.
References
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- 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.
