Description:

Dorsal spines: 3-4; Dorsal rays: 40-45; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 30-33.

Body very deep, almost triangular, extremely compressed. Ventral profile very deep at least four times greater below the lateral line than above, anterior 
ventral profile sharp edged. Dorsal profile standard ovoid/oblong form. Body covered in minute scales, none on head. Mouth small, almost vertical, 
protrusible. Teeth limited to villiform bands in jaws. Pectoral fins relatively short. Pelvic fins insert slightly in front of pectoral fins, the first 
2 rays are fused and greatly elongated. Dorsal fin single, long-based, and low, except for a short peak anteriorly. Dorsal spines disappear with age. Anal 
fin long-based and uniformly low. Caudal fin deeply forked.

Colour. Deep metallic blue dorsolaterally. Flanks and ventrally silvery.  3 to 4 irregular rows of dark round to ovoid spots bisected by lateral line. 
Pelvic fins with a hint of blue, other fins hyaline or slightly dusky.

Size:

Maturity: Lm 14 cm TL. Range unknown. Max Length: 30 cm TL. Commonly to 20 cm TL. 

 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coastal waters near the bottom on both continental shelves and around major island groups (depth typically 50-200 m) (indications are that on the Mahe 
Plateau that this species also occurs in waters of less than 20 m of depth). Appears to prefer deep water but occasionally enters shallow water usually over 
soft bottom in protected bays and estuaries. A shoaling species. Adults eat small benthic crustaceans, mainly shrimp. Juveniles feed on zooplankton, 
mainly copepods.

Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is caught in gill nets but is a rare component of the catch. 
 

Notes:

 

 

References:

Bray, D.J. Mene maculata in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/580 (16/07/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/Mene-maculata.html (16/07/19).
Heemstra, P. & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Mene maculata, Moonfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/mene-maculata-bloch-schneider-1801/ (updated 22/08/22).