Lookdown vs. Moonfish — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
Lookdowns have a more angular profile and silver color, excelling in camouflage in open waters; moonfish display a rounder shape and also have silvery hues, but are often slightly smaller.
Difference Between Lookdown and Moonfish
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Key Differences
Lookdowns, known scientifically as Selene vomer, feature a distinct, steeply sloped head and a thin, deeply forked tail, creating an angular silhouette that helps them blend into the shimmering water surface. On the other hand, moonfish, or Selene setapinnis, present a more rounded head and overall body shape, which distinguishes them slightly less effectively against varied backdrops in their marine environments.
While lookdowns often inhabit the subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, stretching from Canada to Brazil, moonfish typically frequent similar latitudinal ranges but can occasionally be found in slightly warmer waters, highlighting subtle differences in their geographic preferences.
The diet of a lookdown primarily consists of small fishes and invertebrates, utilizing their vertical profile to sneak up and ambush prey. Whereas, moonfish also feed on similar marine items, but their rounder body shape suggests a possibly less stealthy approach in comparison.
Both species are popular among aquarium enthusiasts for their dazzling appearance and intriguing behavior, though lookdowns might be slightly more sought after due to their unique body dynamics.
Comparison Chart
Shape
Angular and steeply sloped head
Rounded head and overall shape
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Tail
Thin, deeply forked
Less pronounced fork
Habitat
Subtropical Atlantic waters
Similar, occasionally warmer
Diet
Small fishes, invertebrates
Similar diet
Popularity
Preferred in aquariums
Slightly less sought after
Compare with Definitions
Lookdown
Inhabits subtropical to tropical waters of the Western Atlantic.
Lookdowns are often spotted off the coasts of Florida.
Moonfish
Slightly less popular in aquariums compared to lookdowns.
Fewer aquariums feature moonfish, focusing instead on more angular species.
Lookdown
Belongs to the Carangidae family.
Like many in the Carangidae family, the lookdown is fast and elusive.
Moonfish
A rounded, silvery marine fish often found in warm waters.
Moonfish use schooling as a defense against predators.
Lookdown
Feeds primarily on small fish and invertebrates.
Lookdowns stealthily approach their prey before making a quick strike.
Moonfish
Diet consists of zooplankton and small fish.
Moonfish often feed at the surface during dawn and dusk.
Lookdown
Popular in public and private aquariums due to its unique appearance.
The aquarium’s newest lookdown has become a visitor favorite.
Moonfish
Also a member of the Carangidae family.
The moonfish shares many traits with its relative, the lookdown.
Lookdown
A marine fish known for its angular body and reflective scales.
The lookdown uses its reflective body to evade predators.
Moonfish
Common in both subtropical and tropical regions, sometimes venturing into warmer waters.
Moonfish adapt well to varying temperatures in their habitat.
Lookdown
The lookdown (Selene vomer) is a game fish of the family Carangidae. It was first described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus, in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Moonfish
Any of several carangid fishes chiefly of the genus Selene, found in warm coastal waters of North and South America and having a short silvery compressed body.
Lookdown
A marine carangid game fish (Selene vomer) of western Atlantic waters, having a compressed silvery body with long rays on the dorsal and anal fins and a steep frontal profile.
Moonfish
See opah.
Lookdown
An oddly-shaped Atlantic marine fish, Selene vomer.
Moonfish
Any of various flat, oval marine fish species.
Lookdown
A fish (Selene vomer) similar to the moonfish but with eyes high on the truncated forehead; it was also called moonfish at one time.
Moonfish
Family Monodactylidae (pl=es, pl=es)
Lookdown
Similar to moonfish but with eyes high on the truncated forehead
Moonfish
Mene maculata, of tropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific
Moonfish
Most species of genus Selene
Moonfish
(Chaetodipterus faber)
Moonfish
Family Molidae (ocean sunfish)
Moonfish
The opahs in the family Lamprididae.
Moonfish
The cusk (Brosme brosme), a North Atlantic cod-like fish in the ling family Lotidae, the only species in its genus.
Moonfish
The southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Moonfish
An American marine fish (Vomer setipennis); - called also bluntnosed shiner, horsefish, and sunfish.
Moonfish
Any of several silvery marine fishes with very flat bodies
Moonfish
Large elliptical brightly colored deep-sea fish of Atlantic and Pacific and Mediterranean
Common Curiosities
What do lookdowns eat?
Their diet mainly consists of small fish and various invertebrates.
How do moonfish and lookdowns use their body shape to their advantage?
Lookdowns use their angular shape for better camouflage and hunting, whereas moonfish's round shape aids in schooling behavior for defense.
Are moonfish good for home aquariums?
Yes, moonfish can be kept in home aquariums but are less popular than lookdowns due to their less distinctive shape.
Are there any specific behaviors unique to lookdowns?
Lookdowns are known for their ability to manipulate light reflection for camouflage.
How do moonfish defend themselves from predators?
Moonfish often rely on schooling and their reflective bodies to confuse predators.
What kind of environments do lookdowns prefer?
Lookdowns thrive in clear, open waters where they can use their camouflage effectively.
Where can lookdowns typically be found?
They inhabit subtropical to tropical waters along the Atlantic coast from Canada to Brazil.
What are the main physical differences between a lookdown and a moonfish?
Lookdowns have an angular body with a steeply sloped head, while moonfish are more rounded in shape.
Can moonfish be found outside the Atlantic Ocean?
Moonfish are primarily found in the Atlantic but can venture into adjacent warmer waters.
Are lookdowns endangered?
Lookdowns are not currently listed as endangered, but like many marine species, they face threats from overfishing and habitat loss.
How do lookdowns and moonfish reproduce?
Both species spawn in open water, where their eggs are left to develop without parental care.
What is the size comparison between lookdowns and moonfish?
Lookdowns and moonfish are similar in size, but lookdowns can occasionally grow slightly larger.
How do the diets of lookdowns and moonfish compare?
Both species primarily feed on small fish and zooplankton, though the specifics of their diet can vary slightly based on their environment.
What makes lookdowns particularly interesting to marine biologists?
Their unique body shape and reflective qualities make them a subject of study in regards to marine camouflage and fish behavior.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
