Pinecone fish images (Monocentridae) - stock photos & facts showing this unusual armored fish
Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Actinopterygii > Order: Beryciformes > Family: Monocentridae > Genera > Cleidopus, Monocentris
The pinecone fish, or pineconefish, is an unusual armored fish of the Indo-Pacific whose body has a vaguely pinecone pattern made by the joining of hard scutes, which provide protection...
more »Pinecone fish images (Monocentridae) - stock photos & facts showing this unusual armored fish
Scientific classification | Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Actinopterygii > Order: Beryciformes > Family: Monocentridae > Genera > Cleidopus, Monocentris
The pinecone fish, or pineconefish, is an unusual armored fish of the Indo-Pacific whose body has a vaguely pinecone pattern made by the joining of hard scutes, which provide protection to the fish.
All pinecone fish have phosphorescent organs at either side of the lower jaw that can turn off and on by movement of the jaw. These bioluminescent organs attract plankton on which the pinecone fish feeds at night. The bioluminescence is caused by phosphorescent bacteria, which live with the fish in a symbiotic relationship. The color of the bioluminescence varies from yellow to blue-green, depending on amount of light reaching it. This fish generally seeks shelter by day in caves, crevices and under overhangs. It lives in tropical and sub-tropical waters.
The pinecone fish is popular in tropical aquariums due to its unusual appearance, but it is considered a difficult fish to keep. Its preferred food is live brine shrimp, and it is active at night, preferring to hide by day.
There are four species of pinecone fish, Monocentris japonica, Monocentris neozelanicus, Monocentris reedi, and Cleidopus gloriamaris, also known as the pineapplefish. They are all members of the Family Monocentridae, of the Order Beryciformes, Class Actinopterygii.
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