Atlantic MoonfishorLookdown

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of an Atlantic Moonfish (Selene setapinnis), side view, on a white background — **Atlantic Moonfish***Selene setapinnis*

Studio photograph of a Lookdown (Selene vomer), side view, on a white background — **Lookdown***Selene vomer*

Rules for both fish from 0 state rulebooks, checked Sep 22, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Atlantic Moonfish

A vertical silver dish with a steep face and thin body; no trailing streamers.

Lookdown

Vertical chrome dinner plate with a high forehead.

Lookdown, next to Atlantic moonfish: long dorsal and anal streamers, flatter forehead.

Side by side

	Atlantic Moonfish	Lookdown
Scientific name	Selene setapinnis	Selene vomer
Also called	—	—
Waters	Inshore	Inshore
Heaviest state record	1 lb 14.38 oz · Mississippi (2006)	4.2 lb · Texas (2012)
On the table	Thin but tasty panfish.	Good, thin fillets.
Rules of its own in	0 states	0 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

State	Atlantic Moonfish: size · bag · season	Lookdown: size · bag · season

Questions anglers ask

How do you tell Atlantic moonfish from lookdown?

Atlantic Moonfish: A vertical silver dish with a steep face and thin body; no trailing streamers. Lookdown: Vertical chrome dinner plate with a high forehead. Lookdown, next to Atlantic moonfish: long dorsal and anal streamers, flatter forehead.

Which gets bigger, Atlantic moonfish or lookdown?

Lookdown. The heaviest state record we hold is 4.2 lb in Texas; the heaviest Atlantic moonfish record is 1 lb 14.38 oz in Mississippi.

Which is better to eat, Atlantic moonfish or lookdown?

Atlantic Moonfish: Thin but tasty panfish. Lookdown: Good, thin fillets.