Lattice Monocle Bream

This species is distinguished by the following characters: head scales reaching forward to between level of anterior margin of eyes and posterior nostrils; no scales on the bony opercular ridge and lower limb of the preopercle; antrorse spine below the eye absent; pectoral-fin rays 16-18; lateral-line scales 46-49. Colour of upper body greyish-yellow, whitish below; sides of body with faint oblique blue and yellow lines, horizontal on the caudal peduncle; a narrow blue stripe joining eyes just behind nostrils; a blue stripe from middle of upper lip to lower edge of eye; upper part of pectoral-fin base with a reddish orange spot; fins are yellowish; dorsal fin with a blue stripe along its middle area; upper tip of caudal fin bright yellow; upper base of caudal fin with a blue spot (Ref. 9785, 118977).

Also Ref. 103751.

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7

Occurs inshore, benthic on sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 118677). Swims in small groups. Feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks and fishes (Ref. 3810)..

Occurs inshore on sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 118677). Swims in small groups. Feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks and fishes. Most abundant species of Scolopsis seen in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Trawled in moderate numbers along with other species in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Highly rated as a food fish, although it sells for a low price and no major fishery exists. Sold fresh and prepared steamed or used for fish balls; sometimes salted or dried (Ref. 9785).

fisheries: commercial

分布於西太平洋區，由台灣至澳洲西北部及東北部。台灣分布於南部、西部、東北部及澎湖海域。

本魚全年皆有產，可利用手釣或在礁岩外砂地放流刺網捕獲，捕獲數量多，具經濟價值。

體長橢圓形，側扁；頭端尖細，頭背幾成直線，兩眼間隔區不隆突。吻中大。眼大；眶下骨的後上角具一銳棘，下緣有細鋸齒，上緣不具前向棘。口中大，端位；頜齒細小，帶狀；鋤骨、腭骨及舌面均不具齒。第一鰓弓下枝鰓耙數6-7。體被大櫛鱗；頭部鱗域向前伸展至眼前緣及後鼻孔間；前鰓蓋下枝骨脊不具鱗；側線鱗數43-46；側線與硬背鰭基底中點間有鱗5-6。背鰭連續而無深刻，具硬棘 X，軟條9；臀鰭硬棘III，軟條 7；腹鰭達肛門；尾鰭上下葉不呈絲狀延長。體灰黃色，腹面銀白色，體側具不顯之藍及黃斜線紋；頭部具藍紋。各鰭透明；背鰭及尾鰭上下葉具黃緣；胸鰭基部上緣具橘紅斑。

數尾在近海砂泥地上活動，游泳時以一游一停的方式前進，以砂泥地上的小魚、蝦或軟體動物為主食。