Yellowstripe monocle bream – Scolopsis aurata

The Yellowstripe Monocle Bream – Scolopsis aurata is a species of marine fish belonging to the Nemipteridae family, commonly known as the threadfin breams. This fish is characterized by its distinctive yellow stripe running along its body, earning it its common name.

Description & Characteristics

The Scolopsis aurata is a moderately sized fish, reaching a maximum length of 26.0 cm. Its body is compressed laterally, giving it a deep and oval shape. The fish exhibits a striking yellow stripe that extends from its snout, running along its flanks and terminating near its tail. This yellow stripe is a prominent feature that helps distinguish it from other members of the Nemipteridae family. The Scolopsis aurata also has a single large, prominent eye on each side of its head, contributing to its common name.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Scolopsis aurata is a common inhabitant of coral reefs, typically found at depths ranging from 1.0 to 30.0 meters. It prefers the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, where it can be observed in a variety of marine zones, including the neritic zone, which encompasses the coastal waters extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

The Scolopsis aurata belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis, and Family: Nemipteridae. It is a member of the large and diverse order of ray-finned fishes, which encompasses a vast array of species exhibiting a wide range of adaptations for life in aquatic environments. The Nemipteridae family, to which the Scolopsis aurata belongs, includes a number of species with thread-like fin rays, hence the common name ‘threadfin breams’.

Feeding

The Scolopsis aurata is a predatory fish, primarily feeding on crustaceans, such as rock shrimps and schrimps. It also consumes smaller fish (little fishes), mysis, and worms. The Scolopsis aurata is an opportunistic feeder and will consume a variety of zoobenthos, the small animals that live in or on the bottom of the seafloor, as well as other invertebrates.