Moonfish (Mene maculata) fish species and information / pictures of Moonfish - Mene maculata

Moonfish (Mene maculata) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mene maculata

Common Name
Moonfish

Biology
Inhabits deeper coastal waters near the bottom on both the continental shelves and around major island groups; sometimes in river estuaries. Found in schools. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Readily dries in air without salting. Marketed fresh and dried. Minimum depth from Ref. 30573.

Classification

Classified By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Moonfish (Menidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to southern Japan and northeastern Australia. Recorded from the South China Sea and the Arafura Sea.
Range
32°N - 28°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
50 m
Depth To - meters
200 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 50 - 200 m
Trophic Level
3.45 s.e. 0.41 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
30.0 cm
Common Length
20.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.2)
Threat To Humans
Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
Not Evaluated