Fish Id: A Guide To East Coast Fishes

Atlantic Moonfish  
Selene setapinnis , Family Carangidae

In the family of the Jacks/Pompanos. Very similar to a Lookdown fish: both have the same flat silvery body, pronounced and steeply sloped forehead running down to small, upturned mouth. Slope is more curved than Lookdowns. Pectoral fins are pale yellow in color and translucent, caudal/tail fin yellow, as well as the dorsal fin low down on the back, and the thin anal fin that runs the length of the belly, ending straight down from the pectoral fin. Pronounced lateral line running upwards from the tail to end just above the pectoral fins in an arch. Dorsal fin lacks the long spine in the front that a Lookdown would have. Per the National Audubon Society: "Although edible, Atlantic Moonfish are rarely used as food in the US."
Sample Courtesy of Dave Busza & Bill Trapp

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