Bridled Monocle Bream, Scolopsis affinis Peters, 1877

Scientific name: Scolopsis affinis
Alternative name/s:
Large-eyed Spinecheek, Peters' Monocle Bream, Yellow-tail Spinecheek
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    27/01/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Scolopsis affinis Click to enlarge image
A Bridled Monocle Bream at a depth of 18m, Ribbon Reef #10, Great Barrier Reef off Cooktown, Queensland, June 2002. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Scolopsis
    Species
    affinis
    Family
    Nemipteridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 20 cm in length.

Introduction

The Bridled Monocle Bream is found in tropical reef areas. It is greyish above and silvery below.

Identification

The Bridled Monocle Bream has a moderately elongate, compressed body. It is greyish on the back and silvery below. There is usually a broad yellow to dusky stripe along the side of the body. The tail is yellow with a blue margin.

Habitat

The species occurs in tropical inshore and coral reef waters

Distribution

The Bridled Monocle Bream occurs in the Western Pacific region. In Australia, it is known from the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from northern to central Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Other behaviours and adaptations

It is a schooling species.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
  3. Russell, B.C. (1990). FAO Species Catalogue. Nemipterid fishes of the World (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams, Monocle breams, Dwarf monocle breams, and Coral breams - Family Nemipteridae). Rome : FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 Vol. 12. Pp. 149 . pls VIII.