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Lookdown

Sicuro

Selene vomer

Conosciuto anche come: Atlantic Lookdown, Horsehead, Moonfish

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Descrizione

Selene vomer, commonly known as the Lookdown, is a species of jack in the family Carangidae. It is characterized by its extremely compressed, deep body, and a distinctive concave head profile that gives it a 'lookdown' appearance. The body is silvery, highly reflective, and lacks prominent markings. Juveniles possess elongated dorsal and anal fin rays.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Forma del corpo
compressed
Colorazione
Overall brilliant silvery, highly reflective, often with iridescent blue or green hues dorsally. No distinct bars or spots on the body. Fins are translucent to silvery.
Tipo di squame
cycloid
Posizione della bocca
terminal
Caratteristiche distintive
Extremely deep and laterally compressed body, almost disc-like in adults., Steeply concave head profile, giving the impression of the fish 'looking down'., Long, filamentous anterior rays of the dorsal and anal fins in juveniles, which shorten with age., Small, protractile mouth.
Pinna dorsale
Two dorsal fins; the first with 8 spines (the first 2-3 are very short and embedded in adults), the second with 1 spine and 20-23 soft rays. The anterior soft rays are greatly elongated in juveniles.
Pinna caudale
Deeply forked caudal fin.
Pinna pettorale
Long and falcate (sickle-shaped) pectoral fins.
Pinne distintive
Anal fin with 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 16-18 soft rays. The anterior soft rays are also greatly elongated in juveniles, mirroring the dorsal fin.

Consigli per l'identificazione

Body Shape

The most striking feature is its extremely deep, compressed, and almost rhomboidal body shape, which is much deeper than it is long.

Head Profile

The concave, 'lookdown' head profile is unique among most carangids and is a key identifier.

Coloration

Its uniform, brilliant silvery coloration with no distinct markings helps distinguish it from other similar-shaped fish.

Juvenile Fin Rays

Young individuals have exceptionally long, filamentous anterior dorsal and anal fin rays, which are a clear diagnostic feature.

Habitat

Tipo di acqua
saltwater
Profondità
Typically found in shallow coastal waters, from the surface down to about 60 meters (200 feet), occasionally deeper.
Ambiente
Inhabits sandy bottoms, muddy areas, estuaries, and near reefs. Often found in schools, particularly juveniles.
Areale geografico
Western Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Less common north of Florida.

Informazioni sull'acquario

  • Livello di cura: advanced
  • Temperamento: semi-aggressive
  • Dieta: carnivore
  • Dimensione minima della vasca: 250 gallons
  • Temperatura: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
  • Livello di pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Durezza: 8-12 dKH
  • Compatibilità: Best kept in species-specific tanks or with other large, fast-moving, non-aggressive fish. Avoid small, timid species as they may be preyed upon. Can be kept in small groups if the tank is sufficiently large.
  • Requisiti speciali: Requires a very large tank with ample swimming space due to its active nature and potential size. Excellent water quality and strong filtration are essential. Can be sensitive to poor water conditions. A varied diet of high-quality meaty foods is crucial.

Informazioni in natura

  • Stato di conservazione: least concern
  • Stagionalità: Present year-round in its range, but may show seasonal aggregations for spawning or feeding.
  • Prezzo di mercato: Low to moderate, primarily for bait or bycatch
  • Importanza commerciale: low
  • Sapore: Mild, slightly sweet
  • Consistenza: Flaky, white meat
  • Metodi di cottura: Frying, Baking, Grilling
  • Valore nutrizionale: Good source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Fatti chiave

Mirror-like Appearanceinteresting

The common name 'Pesce specchio' (mirror fish) in Italian, and 'Lookdown' in English, refers to its highly reflective, silvery body and its distinctive head profile.

Unique Juvenile Formbehavior

Juvenile Lookdowns possess remarkably long, streamer-like anterior rays on their dorsal and anal fins, which gradually shorten as the fish matures.

Schooling Behaviorbehavior

Lookdowns, especially juveniles, are often observed in schools, which provides protection against predators.

Dietary Habitsbehavior

They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans, polychaetes, and small fish, often foraging near the bottom.

Ecological Roleinteresting

As a mid-level predator, Selene vomer plays a role in the food web of coastal ecosystems, consuming smaller invertebrates and fish, and in turn, serving as prey for larger piscivorous fish.

Informazioni di sicurezza

Sicuro
  • Livello di sicurezza: safe
  • Velenoso: No
  • Commestibilità: edible
  • Note sul maneggio: No specific handling precautions are required beyond standard fish handling to avoid fin pricks. The fins are not venomous.

Specie simili

Atlantic Moonfish

Selene setapinnis

Slightly less deep-bodied than S. vomer, and its head profile is less steeply concave. The elongated fin rays in juveniles are shorter and less pronounced than in S. vomer.

Mexican Lookdown

Selene brevoortii

Found in the Eastern Pacific. While very similar in appearance, its geographic range is distinct. Morphologically, it has a slightly different count of fin rays and gill rakers.

African Lookdown

Selene dorsalis

Found in the Eastern Atlantic. Similar body shape but typically has a more rounded, less sharply concave head profile and different meristic counts.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Classe
Actinopterygii
Ordine
Carangiformes
Famiglia
Carangidae
Genere
Selene
Specie
S. vomer

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