Extremely compressed and deep body with a rapid taper to a forked tail. Forehead heavily sloped and slightly concave. Caudal fin may have yellowish cast, but other fins colorless. Small forward-oriented mouth with a protruding lower jaw. Faint dark blotch on gill cover and top of caudal peduncle (before tail). Juveniles have a dark blotch over straight portion of lateral line
Average Maximum Size:
38 cm (15 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Atlantic Moonfish can be distinguished from the closely related Lookdown by the absence of elongated second dorsal and anal fin lobes.
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Juvenile Atlantic Moonfish can be distinguished from juvenile Lookdown by the presence of a dark blotch located at the rear half of the body over the lateral line. Additionally juvenile Lookdown possess vertical body stripes and elongated first dorsal spines not present on juvenile Atlantic Moonfish.
Range:
Novia Scotia to Florida, Gulf of Mexico to Argentina
Habitat:
Near bottom of shallow coastal to marine waters; juveniles pelagic near surface.
