Scientific Name
Selene setapinnis

Common Name
Atlantic moonfish

Biology
Adults usually found near the bottom from inshore waters to at least 54 m depth, but may form schools near the surface (Ref. 5217). Juveniles are found on muddy bottoms brackish estuaries and in coastal marine waters (Ref. 5217). Feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. Good food fish and marketed fresh.

Classification

Classified By

Mitchill, 1815

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Jacks and pompanos (Carangidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada through most of the West Indies; along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and South America (Ref. 26938) to Mar del Plata, Argentina. Absent from the Bahamas (Ref. 26938). Replaced by Selene dorsalis in the eastern Atlantic. These two species have not been adequately studied and may prove to be conspecific. Known to occur in Mauritania (Ref. 5377).

Range

46°N - 45°S, 98°W - 16°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

55 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range ? - 55 m (Ref. 26912)

Trophic Level

3.72 s.e. 0.52 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

60.0 cm

Common Length

25.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=4.5; assuming tm=2-3)

Threat To Humans

Reports of ciguatera poisoning (Ref. 30911)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated