Monocentris japonica, the Japanese pineapplefish, is a pinecone fish of the family Monocentridae, found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Oceans, at depths between 2 and 100 m and can be found on both rocky and coral reefs.

[1] It has light-producing organs filled with luminescent bacteria on each side of the lower jaw, the purpose of which is not known, but may help it to see at night or to attract prey.

Forming in the living dermis, the scutes produce a horny outer layer, that is superficially similar to that of scales.

Scute comes from Latin for shield, and can take the form of: Pinecone fish are often kept by aquarists because they are not aggressive and easy to keep.

In aquaria, they are usually fed fresh marine foods or brine shrimp.