Description:

Dorsal spines: 10; Dorsal rays: 10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 8-10.
Small to medium-sized lethrinid with fusiform body.
Colour. White spots on each scale form rows above lateral line. There is a broad brownish-orange stripe below the lateral line and 4-5 more brownish-orange stripes on lower flanks alternating between thicker and thinner lines. A large yellowish blotch below the rear of the dorsal fin very bright and evident in living specimens. A yellowish-orange snout and a yellowish-orange blotch on the pectoral-fin base.
 

Maturity: unknown.  Range: unknown.
Max length : 42.3 cm FL; common length : 20.0 cm TL.
 

Generally found on coral reefs (depth 3 - 30 m). Inhabits lagoons, and seaward reefs solitary or in groups, sometimes forming schools up to or over 100 fish. Nocturnal Feeder on benthic invertebrates, crabs and gastropods. Also known to occasionally feed on small fish. 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations.
 

Though well known to divers, this species is a very rare component of the artisanal catch as its feeding habit makes it unlikely to take a hook.
 

Bray, D.J.(2025). Gnathodentex aureolineatus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2222 (20/07/25).
Carpenter, K.E. et al. (2016). Gnathodentex aureolineatus. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T16719296A16722275.en. (20/07/25).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2025). FishBase. Gnathodentex aureolineatus https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Gnathodentex-aureolineatus.html (20/07/25).
Matthews, T. et al. (2019). Length-weight relationships for 71 reef and bottomfish species from Tutuila and Aunu'u, American Samoa. Pacific Islands Fish. Sci. Cent. Admin. Rep. H-19-03, 9 p. 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2025). Gnathodentex aureolineatus, Striped large-eye bream. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/gnathodentex-aureolineatus-lacepede-1802/