Common name : Pineapple fish, Knight fish
Scientific name : Cleidopus gloriamaris
Family : Monocentridae
Native to : Indian and Pacific Oceans
Interesting fact : It has bioluminescent organs (under the lower jaw) that are
used to communicate and attract prey.
Conservation status : Not Evaluated
The pinecone fish are yellowish-orange in colour having rounded bodies covered completely with plate-like scales and large eyes. They live in large schools in ledges, caves, rocky flats and coral reefs at depths of 30 to 250 metres. They are nocturnal, resting in caves and crevices during the day and coming out at night to feed on zooplankton.
