Scolopsis temporalis (Cuvier, 1830)
Bald-spot monocle bream
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams)
Max. size:  35 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 35 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Eastern Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands and Fiji. This species closely resembles Scolopsis monogramma, and the two species have been previously confused.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Head scales reaching forward to or just behind level of anterior margin of eye. A small naked area on temporal region behind eye. Lower limb of preopercle scaly. Antrorse (forward-directed) suborbital spine absent. Pelvic fins long, reaching to or beyond level of anus. Upper lobe of caudal fin a little longer then lower lobe. Lobes produced to form filamentous extensions in larger specimens. Color: Upper body bluish, white below. Sides are also bluish. Scales on body with yellow centers forming horizontal lines above lateral line and diagonal lines below. A pinkish-brown stripe from behind eye, arching on back beneath lateral line and terminating behind tip of pectoral fin. Four blue stripes on head.
Biology:  Inhabits coastal and lagoon waters, on sand rubble bottoms close to reefs. Usually seen solitary in 20+ m depth. May also be seen in groups. (Ref. 48635, 90102)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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