Scolopsis bimaculata Rüppell, 1828
Thumbprint monocle bream
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams)
Max. size:  31 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 60 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Persian Gulf and from Muscat, Oman to Delagoa Bay, Mozambique. Also from Madagascar, Sri Lanka and the Bay of Bengal.
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 posterior nostrils. Lower limb of preopercle scaly. Antrorse (forward-directed) suborbital spine absent. Pelvic fins long, reaching to between level of anus and origin of anal fin. Axillary scale present. Color: Upper body grey, whitish below. A blue stripe joining eyes.
Biology:  Found in inshore waters usually on coral reefs or sand or mud bottoms close to 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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