Mene maculata

Mene maculata, the moonfish, is the only extant member of the genus Mene and of the family Menidae. The morphology of the moonfish is quite distinct as they have a compressiform (laterally compressed) that is disc-like shape that is almost triangular. They have a small protrusible superior mouth (a mouth that is orientated upwards) with teeth limited to villi-form bands in the jaws. Their maxilla are distinctively shaped and have long ascending processes of the premaxillae.

The dorsal fin of the moonfish has a short peak on the anterior side. Overall, it is long and low with thin and flexible rays. The anal fin starts where the pelvic fin is and is very long. The caudal fin is deeply forked. The pectoral fin is shorter than the length of the head, and the pelvic fins are slightly in front of the pectoral fins. The pelvic fin has 1 short spine followed by 5 soft rays. The first 2 soft rays are fused and greatly elongated in the adults, forming a prominent backward-pointing process on the underside of the fish. There is not much known about the hatchling and juvenile state. The lateral line curves upward toward the base of the last ray of the dorsal fin and ends above the midline of the caudal peduncle. Sometimes the lateral line continues to the base of the upper lobe of the caudal fin.

The body of the moonfish is covered with scales that are invisible to the naked eye. The dorsal side of the body has a deep metallic blue color, with the rest of the body being silver in color. On the upper and lower sides of the lateral line holds a row of circular-ovular shape of dark slaty-blue spots. There may be a few additional spots above and below the rows. The pelvic fin has a trace of blue color, and the other fins are slightly dusky in color or hyaline.

Figure of Mene maculata