Family MONODACTYLIDAE

Monodactylidae

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Introduction

Members of the Monodactylidae, popularly known as moonfishes, are widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate seas of the Indo-west Pacific and eastern Atlantic regions. Worldwide, five species in three genera are recognised in the family. In Australia, three species in two genera have been recorded.

Monodactylids occur in marine and estuarine habitats, as well as the lower reaches of freshwater streams. The Australian endemic genus Schuettea is restricted to shallow seas. Maximum length is about 28 cm.

Tominaga (1968) recommended the placement of Schuettea in a separate family because of different characteristics, including normally developed pectoral fins, cycloid scales, and lack of teeth on the endopterygoid and eclopterygoid. Genera are treated in Kottelat (2001).

General References

Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. 2006. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [1282]

Kottelat, M. 2001. Monodactylidae. pp. 3216-3220 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp.

Tominaga, Y. 1968. Internal morphology, mutual relationships and systematic position of the fishes belonging to the family Pempheridae. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 15(2): 43-95 figs 1-17

Common Name References

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [347] (Diamondfishes)

Kottelat, M. 2001. Monodactylidae. pp. 3216-3220 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 5 2791-3379 pp. [3216] (Moonfishes)

Merrick, J.R. & Schmida, G.E. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes Biology and Management. Sydney : J.R. Merrick 409 pp. figs 280 col. figs. [258] (Silver Batfishes)

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