Hampnose big-eye bream

Monotaxis grandoculis

Occurring in

Indian Ocean
Red Sea

1-100m

DayAndNightActive

not endangered

The Hampnose big-eye bream is a true shape-shifter — his colors and patterns change several times throughout his life. As a young animal, its primary color is white and black saddle stripes adorn the upper area of its body, while a stripe runs directly over its eye, which serves to confuse predators. The older it gets, the more its stripes disappear and its basic color becomes silvery gray.

Habitat

Coral reef

Special features

The Hampnose big-eye bream is a true shape-shifter — his colors and patterns change several times throughout his life.

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Appearance

As a young animal, its primary color is white and black saddle stripes adorn the upper area of its body, while a stripe runs directly over its eye, which serves to confuse predators.

The older it gets, the more its stripes disappear and its basic color becomes silvery gray. At adult and mating age, he has yellow drawings on his head.

Natural enemies

Predatory fish

Dangerous/Venomous

The bigeye street sweeper is neither dangerous nor venomous.

Sketch

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1. Dark spots

2. Light-colored lips

Pro tips

People most often encounter this buddy in lagoons or outer reefs.

During the day, it floats along the reef edges individually or in small groups.
He hunts at night; as a loner, he treats himself to hard-shelled invertebrates.

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Text: Carolina Leiter

Pic: Felician Hosp

Illustration: Dive Dict