Threeline Monocle Bream

Interesting Info

• The Threeline Monocle Bream (Scolopsis trilineata) is easy to recognise by the three dark lines that stretch from its snout to its tail — like racing stripes along its sides.
• In Australia, it is found along the northern tropical coastline — from the Northern Territory, to the northern Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait in Queensland.
• Globally, it lives throughout the tropical Indo–West Pacific, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and parts of Micronesia.
• Its face has a pale “mask-like” patch around the eyes, just like other monocle breams — giving it a slightly thoughtful or curious expression.
• It prefers sandy areas next to coral reefs where it can forage for hidden prey while staying close to shelter.
• Its diet includes tiny crustaceans, worms, and small molluscs that it plucks from sand or rubble using quick, precise bites.
• This species is active during the day and rests at night, often tucked close to coral structures.
• Spawning takes place in groups on reef slopes during warmer months, with males brightening their colours and performing small “hovering dances” to attract females.
• Eggs drift with the currents, and young fish settle in calm inner lagoons and sheltered flats before moving to deeper reef edges as they grow.
• It has an estimated lifespan of around 4–6 years in the wild.
• Divers and snorkellers may see them in small groups hovering quietly over sand, often pausing to observe before darting into coral if approached too closely.