Description

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).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Trachichthyiformes

Family: Monocentridae

Genus: Monocentris

Species: Monocentris japonica (Houttuyn, 1782)

Climate Zone

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.

Habitat

associated

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless