HomeMarine aquarium fishOther marine fishPineconefish Pineconefish (Monocentris japonica) Scientific name: Monocentris japonica Houttuyn, 1782 The Pineconefish (Monocentris japonica) is a marine fish of the family Monocentridae. BiologyDorsal spines: 5 - 6; Dorsal soft rays: 11-12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11. Body except for caudal peduncle armored with huge, immovable scales. Lateral line scales present but without opening. Dorsal fin spines large, without membrane. Pelvic fin spine large, with locking mechanism. Anal fin without spine. Body yellow, scales outlined in black; lower jaw black. There is a pair of light organs each side of chin.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameMonocentris japonicaFamilyMonocentridae (Pinecone fishes)OrderBeryciformes (Sawbellies)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length17.0Common length12.0Depth range10–200 m (33–656 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 10 - 200 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: Red Sea and South Africa and Mauritius to southern Japan, southwest Sumatra to Bali Strait, Timor Sea in Indonesia, the Arafura Sea, Darwin to Northwest Cape, Australia and from New Zealand.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceLow, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other marine fishSpotted numbfishNarcine timleiPineapplefishCleidopus gloriamarisSpotwing flying gurnardDactyloptena macracanthaHarlequin sandsmeltParapercis pulchellaTrout sweetlipsPlectorhinchus pictusMexican blennyParaclinus mexicanusSee all other marine fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026