Editing Monocentridae (section)

== Description ==
These fish are aptly named; their rounded, compressed bodies are completely covered (with the exception of the [[caudal peduncle]]) with very large, strong, platelike [[scale (zoology)|scale]]s called scutes, which are fortified with prominent ridges.<ref name=EoF>{{cite book |editor=Paxton, J.R. |editor2=Eschmeyer, W.N.|author= Paxton, John R.|year=1998|title=Encyclopedia of Fishes|publisher= Academic Press|location=San Diego|pages= 161–162|isbn= 0-12-547665-5}}</ref> The first [[dorsal fin]] is composed of four to seven strong, disunited spines which vary in length; the second dorsal fin and [[anal fin]] are small, spineless and rounded, situated far back of the convex head. The [[pectoral fin]]s are somewhat elongate and the [[caudal fin]] is truncate.

Coloration is typically a yellow to orange, with the scales dramatically outlined in black. The eyes are relatively large, and the mouth is oblique and subterminal. On either side of the lower jaw is a [[bioluminescence|bioluminescent]] organ called a [[photophore]]: a pale light is produced by [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[bacterium|bacteria]] within the organ,<ref name=EoF/> and the color of the light varies with ambient light levels&mdash;orange by day and blue-green at night.

The [[pineapplefish]], ''Cleidopus gloriamaris'', is the largest species, reaching up to {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name=EoF/> [[Sexual dimorphism]] is not apparent.