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UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



Fig. 113. Roosterfish. 



LOOKDOWN (horsehead, moonfish) : Selene vomer— Color Plate 2 



Size: Averages 7 to 8 inches. Up to a little over a foot. 



Distribution: Cape Cod to Brazil. Baja California to Peru. Most common 

 in the tropics. 



Identification: This most compressed and deep-bodied of all jacks is easilv 

 recognized. The pearly, iridescent colors on the wafer-thin body reflect all 

 possible delicate shades of the spectrum. 



Habits: This is a schooling fish which is most common over sandy shores. 

 It feeds on all sorts of small fishes and invertebrates. At times, it takes refuge 

 in pilings, under bridges, around reefs, but it seems to be most common in 

 rather open water. 



Similar Species: Only the moonfish, Vomer setapinnis, could be confused 

 with this fish. The shape, size, and color are the same, but the soft dorsal and 

 anal fins are not extended as they are in the lookdown. It is found from Maine 



