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Medialuna californiensis (Steindachner, 1876) Halfmoon |
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photo by
Gotshall, D.W. |
| Family: | Scorpididae (Halfmoons) | |||
| Max. size: | 48 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 8 years | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Pacific: Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, to Gulf of California; rare north of Point Conception in California, USA. | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Often occur in rocky areas and in kelp beds. Found from inshore areas to 40 m depth. Feed on seaweed and small invertebrates. Pelagic spawner (Ref. 56049). Also caught with harpoons. The flesh is of excellent quality and is marketed fresh (Ref. 9310). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||