Marine Wildlife Encyclopedia
Pineapplefish Cleidopus gloriamaris
The pineapplefish is completely encased in armor consisting of large, thick, modified scales studded with spines. Each yellow scale is outlined in black, resembling a segment of pineapple skin. This fish, which lives in dark caves and under ledges on rocky reefs, has a pair of bioluminescent organs on its lower jaw that are hidden by the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. Orange during the day, the organs glow blue-green at night, when they are used to help find prey, such as crustaceans and small fish.
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- Order Beryciformes
- Length Up to 9 in (22 cm)
- Weight Up to 16 oz (500 g)
- Depth 10–650 ft (3–200 m)
- Distribution Temperate waters of eastern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific around Australia
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