Scolopsis ghanam (Fabricius, 1775)
Arabian monocle bream
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and East Africa (up to Delagoa Bay) to Madagascar and the Andaman Islands.
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 level of middle of eyes. Lower limb of preopercle naked. Antrorse (forward-directed) suborbital spine absent. Pelvic fins long, reaching to or just beyond level of anus. Axillary scale present. Color: Numerous black or dark brown spots on sides forming stripes with white interspaces between. A pearly-white stripe from below eye to upper edge of pectoral base.
Biology:  Benthic, found in inshore waters usually on shallow sandy bottoms close to coral reefs (Ref. 30573). Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms and fishes (Ref. 30573).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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