How to Identify Diamond Trevally

To identify Diamond Trevally (Mona melemele), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Adults are silvery-blue to silvery-green dorsally, fading to silvery-white ventrally. Juveniles often have faint vertical bands. The filamentous fin rays are typically dark or black.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Highly compressed, deep body profile, especially in juveniles., Extremely long, filamentous dorsal and anal fin rays in juveniles, which can be several times the body length. These rays shorten significantly and may disappear in adults., Steeply arched head profile., Small, embedded scales, giving a smooth appearance., Lateral line strongly arched anteriorly, becoming straight posteriorly.

Dorsal fin

Two dorsal fins; the first with 7-8 spines (often embedded in adults), the second with 1 spine and 18-20 soft rays. The anterior soft rays are greatly elongated in juveniles.

Tail fin

Deeply forked caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Long and falcate (sickle-shaped).

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are small in adults, but elongated in juveniles.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Juvenile Fin Rays

   The most striking feature of juveniles is the presence of extremely long, filamentous dorsal and anal fin rays, which can be several times the body length. These are absent or greatly reduced in adults.

2. 2

   Body Shape

   A very deep, highly compressed body, giving it a 'diamond' or 'pompano-like' profile, especially noticeable in younger individuals.

3. 3

   Head Profile

   A distinctly steep and arched head profile.

4. 4

   Coloration

   Silvery body with a darker dorsal surface. Juveniles may have faint vertical bars.

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