Colours
Distinguishing features
It has a plump, rounded body almost completely covered in large, rough scales with sharp, backward-pointing spines. The head is large, with mucous pits bordered by rough ridges, and is armored with heavy bone. The snout is blunt and overhangs the wide mouth. The teeth are tiny and thin, present on the jaws, palatine, and vomer. There are two pits containing bioluminescent bacteria on the lower jaw near the corners of the mouth, which are concealed when the mouth is closed. This photophore is green in young fish and becomes more red as it ages.
The scales are yellow to whitish with black rear margins, forming the striking pattern that gives this fish its name. The lips, chin, and parts of the jaw are black. There is a red stripe on the lower jaw running to the photophore. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 22 cm (Standard Length)
Depth range
- From 6 m to 200 m
Synonyms
Interesting facts
- It has a pair of bioluminescent organs that are reminiscent of navigation lights on ships. They are used when hunting shrimp at night. (Wikipedia)
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Australian Pineapplefish (Cleidopus gloriamaris)
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is found in caves and under ledges of rock and is occasionally found in coral-reef habitats. (Fishbase)
