| Family: |
Nemipteridae (Threadfin breams, Whiptail breams) |
| Max. size: |
25 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 2 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Southeast Asia (Taiwan Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines); with two geographic populations: Philippines and the other countries in the region. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-7. 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). |
| Biology: |
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). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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