Scolopsis bilineata (Bloch 1793)

This species is distinguished by the following characters: head scales reaching to or just in front of anterior nostrils; lateral line scales 43-47 (usually 45-46); pectoral fin rays 16-18 (usually 17); snout length less than eye diameter; greatest body depth 2.5-3.0 in SL. Colour dark grey on head and back with diagonal black-edged white band separating dark area from the rest of the mainly whitish body; white blotch below posterior dorsal fin; 3 yellow stripes on upper head; juveniles with alternating black and yellow stripes on the upper half and whitish below, Batesian mimic of the poison-fanged blenny Meiacanthus grammistes (Ref. 90102).

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

Occur inshore (Ref. 75154). Found in small aggregations. Juveniles appear to be Batesian mimics of poison-fanged blenniids (Meiacanthus).

Common on coral reefs. Adults occur on most reef habitats, usually in pairs, and juveniles inshore or in lagoons or rubble zones (Ref. 48635). Occurs singly or in small aggregations. Feeds on small fishes and benthic invertebrates. A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 9785). Juvenile mimics poison-danged blenny Miacanthus grammistes, Batesian mimic (Ref. 90102). Caught mainly by handline and live specimens captured by hand net for the aquarium export trade; no major fishery exists (Ref. 9785). It is parasitised by the monogenean Anoplodiscus hutsonae on the pectoral fins and body surface (Ref. 124057).

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial