Threadfin Bream

Name

Threadfin bream (Nemipteridae)

Alias

Spinecheek, Butterfly bream and false snappers

Size

Threadfin breams measure 18 cm on average but can be as long as 25 cm.

Identification

The bodies of threadfin breams are long and oval-shaped. They are covered in large scales and have small mouths. Certain species have a spine located below their eyes. Other species have an extended filament on the upper caudal lobe. They are usually bright in colour, varying from silver and black to light and darker brown, at times marked by a yellow line.

General Info

Threadfin breams belong to the Nemipteridae family which comprises of five genera and 64 species. They can be found near coral reefs, swimming near the bottom hunting for food. They also occur in river mouths and are closely related to the snapper. Threadfin breams are pelagic spawners.

Feeding

Threadfin breams feed on small fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and worms, or polychaetes, and some are planktivores.

Distribution

They can be found in all temperate and tropical oceans across the world.