Monocentris japonica
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| Monocentris japonica (Houttuyn, 1782) |
Monocentris japonica is a pinecone fish of the family Monocentridae, found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific oceans, at depths of between 10 and 200 m. Its length is between 8 and 15 cm.
This pinecone fish is a small plump-bodied species with large head and eyes and thickened enlarged scales that interlock to form a solid rough armour with the appearance of a pinecone. The fin spines are strong and solid, those of the first dorsal fin being bent off-centre. Both the second dorsal fin and the anal fin are set well back and are directed almost horizontally to the rear.
On each side of the lower jaw is a large phosphorescent organ that can be covered or exposed by a fold of the lower jaw. These bright forward directed lights are used to illuminate the small planktonic animals on which this species feeds during its night-time foraging expeditions. During the day these fish shelter in caves or overhangs.
The colour is a uniform yellow with the soft fins pinkish and almost transparent.
References
- Monocentris japonica (TSN 166164). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 18 April 2006.
- "Monocentris japonica". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
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