Bridled Monocle Bream

Scolopsis bilineata

The bridled monocle bream (Scolopsis bilineata), also known as the two-lined monocle bream, is a species of threadfin bream in the family Nemipteridae. Adults reach about 23 cm with a laterally compressed body showing silvery-white coloration, two distinctive dark horizontal lines on the face (the 'bridle'), and yellowish fins. A notable feature is a small backward-pointing spine on the cheek below the eye. This species inhabits sandy and rubble areas adjacent to coral reefs at depths of 1-25 meters throughout the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific. They are typically found in small groups or pairs hovering near the substrate, picking small invertebrates from the sand. Bridled monocle bream are common on Indo-Pacific reefs and their distinctive facial markings make them easy to identify. They are often among the first fish encountered when moving from reef to sand habitats.