Medialuna ancietae
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| Medialuna ancietae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Centrarchiformes |
| Family: | Kyphosidae |
| Genus: | Medialuna |
| Species: | M. ancietae |
| Binomial name | |
| Medialuna ancietae Chirichigno F., 1987[1] | |
Medialuna ancietae is a species of sea chub native to the Pacific coast of South America where it inhabits the giant kelp forests. It is known locally as acha, mero del sur or chino.[2]
Sea chubs are medium-sized fish with small heads, blunt snouts and laterally compressed bodies. The small mouth contains a row of short teeth with hockey-stick shaped tips. The dorsal fin is continuous and has 11 to 14 spines, which can be folded down into a groove, and 11 to 13 soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and 11 to 13 soft rays. The body is clad in small scales which are thick and feel rough. The colour is mainly drab, the belly being paler than the upper parts.[3] M. ancietae can grow to a maximum weight of 15 kg (33 lb).[4]