Monocentridae

thumb|250px|Monocentris japonica

Pinecone fishes are small and unusual marine fish of the family Monocentridae. The family contains just five species in two genera, one of which is monotypic. Their distribution is limited to tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. Pinecone fishes are popular subjects of public aquaria, but are both expensive and considered a challenge for the hobbyist to maintain.