Halfmoon (Medialuna californiensis)

Scientific name: Medialuna californiensis Steindachner, 1876

Halfmoon (Medialuna californiensis)

The Halfmoon (Medialuna californiensis) is a marine fish of the family Kyphosidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada to Gulf of California; rare north of Point Conception in California, USA.

Biology

Often occur in rocky areas and in kelp beds. Found from inshore areas to 40 m depth. Feed on seaweed and small invertebrates. Pelagic spawner. Also caught with harpoons. The flesh is of excellent quality and is marketed fresh.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Medialuna californiensis
Family
Kyphosidae (Sea chubs)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
48.0
Depth range
0–40 m (0–131 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 40 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada to Gulf of California; rare north of Point Conception in California, USA.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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