Appearance and lifestyle:
Their scientific name, Scolopsis ghanam, means "looks like a worm from Ghana". This is a misnomer, as the monocle bream is not found in Ghanaian waters.
The paleband spinecheek is a sleek, silver fish with a darker, spotted upper body. From its face, extending to its dorsal and caudal fins, are several pearly white stripes with blue iridescence. Their habit of swimming rapidly, then coming a sudden stop before moving off again enables them to better survey their surroundings.
Habitat:
Paleband spinecheeks inhabit shallow, sandy-bottomed waters near coral reefs. They are common along the East African coast, ranging from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf to South Africa.
Diet:
They have good eyesight and are proficient predators, feeding on crustaceans, sea stars and smaller fish.
Threats:
Habitat loss, climate change, overfishing etc.