Monocentridae

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Monocentridae (pinecone fish, knight fish; subclass Actinopterygii, order Beryciformes) A small family of marine fish that are short but deep-bodied and covered by heavy plate-like scales. The eyes are large, but the fins are small, the first dorsal fin consisting of at least four strong, membrane-free spines. The fish live in small schools, hiding in caves during the day. The better known species, Cleidopus gloriamaris, grows to 22 cm. There are two species, found in the Indo-Pacific region.

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