Two-line Monocle Bream, Scolopsis bilineata (Bloch, 1793)

Scientific name: Scolopsis bilineata
Alternative name/s:
Bridled Monocle Bream, Bridled Spinecheek, Double Lined Coral Bream, Monocle Bream, Yellow-finned Spine-cheek
Two-line Monocle Bream, Scolopsis bilineata Click to enlarge image
A Two-line Monocle Bream at a depth of 10 m, Mantis Reef, Wreck Bay, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, 4 December 1999. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Scolopsis
    Species
    bilineata
    Family
    Nemipteridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 23 cm in length.

Introduction

The Two-line Monocle Bream can be recognised by its colouration. It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific.

Identification

The Two-line Monocle Bream can be recognised by its colouration. It has a black-edged white bar curving up from the mouth to the middle of the dorsal fin. There are two white lines above and behind the eyes. The spinous dorsal fin is yellow and there is a white region on the back below the soft dorsal fin.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

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

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  7. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.