Monocentris japonica
| Pineconefish | |
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| File:Monocentris japonica.1 - Aquarium Finisterrae.JPG | |
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| Species: | M. japonica
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| Binomial name | |
| Monocentris japonica (Houttuyn, 1782)
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Monocentris japonica is a pinecone fish of the family Monocentridae, found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Oceans, at depths between 2 and 100 m and can be found on both rocky and coral reefs. The fish is nocturnal and shelters in caves and under ledges during the day.[1]
Morphology
The pineconefish is yellow with distinct large scales outlined in black.[1] It has light-producing organs filled with luminescent bacteria on each side of the lower jaw the purpose of with is not known, but may help it to see at night or to attract prey. The fish grows to 17 cm, but is more commonly found up to 12 cm.[2]
In captivity
Pinecone fish are often kept by aquarists because they are not aggressive and easy to keep. In aquaria, they are usually fed fresh marine foods or brine shrimp.
Gallery
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Illustration of a pineconefish, with the anatomy of the skull exposed -
Pineconefish at the Himeji Aquarium, Japan -
Pineconefish at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco
References
- ^ a b Bray, Dianne. "Japanese Pineapplefish, Monocentris japonica". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ "Monocentris japonica (Houttuyn, 1782) Pineconefish". Fishbase. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- "Monocentris japonica". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 April 2006.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Monocentris japonica". FishBase. January 2006 version.
- 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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