Monocentris japonica (Houttuyn, 1782)
Pineconefish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Monocentridae (Pinecone fishes)
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 300 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea, Reunion, Madagascar, and South Africa; north to Japan, Taiwan, China, New Caledonia (including Chesterfield Islands), south to Australia;
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal soft rays: 9-11; Vertebrae: 25-26. The species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: lateral-line scales 13 - 17; scale rows below lateral line 11-14, modally 11-12; three scale rows below lateral line 8; total gill rakers 16-20; small scales between fourth scale row below lateral line and abdominal scutes, its posterior tip not reaching second postpelvic scute; no teeth on vomer; mouth large, reaching vertical through posterior margin of eye (Ref. 127470).
Biology:  Found in the sublittoral zone (Ref. 11230), under ledges and caves of rocky reefs (Ref. 9710). Forms schools (Ref. 6620). Adults are found between 20 and 200 m depth, juveniles occasionally in shallower water (Ref. 9650). Regularly displayed in public aquaria.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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