Animal Species:Pineapplefish, Cleidopus gloriamaris De Vis, 1882

The Pineapplefish is an unusual fish that can produce light from organs on the lower jaw.

Pineapplefish, Cleidopus gloriamaris

Pineapplefish, Cleidopus gloriamaris
Richard Vevers © Richard Vevers

Alternative Name/s

The Pineapplefish has also been called the Knightfish.

Identification

The Pineapplefish is named for its pineapple-like appearance. It has robust scales with black margins. On either side of the lower jaw is a light organ that produces a greenish glow. The colour of the light is reported to change to red as the fish ages.

Size range

It grows to 25 cm in length.

Similar Species

The similar Japanese Pineapplefish, Monocentrus japonicus also occurs in Australian waters. It can be distinguished from the Pineapplefish by its more rounded snout.

Distribution

The species is recorded from the east and west coasts of Australia, but not from Victoria and South Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Cleidopus gloriamaris

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Pineapplefish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is often observed by divers on shallow coastal reefs, but is also trawled in deeper offshore waters.

Classification

Species:
gloriamaris
Genus:
Cleidopus
Family:
Monocentridae
Order:
Beryciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fish, ichthyology, Pineapplefish, Cleidopus gloriamaris, rocky, reef, Monocentridae, unusual, complex pattern, produce light, Knightfish, pineapple-link appearance, 10 cm - 30 cm, round, deepsea, marine, coastal reef,