Mono ~ Silver MoonyMoonfish ~ Fresh Water Mono Fish ~ Mono Argentus

Distribution:      The Mono was described by Linnaeus in 1758. This Mono has a very large distribution. They are found in the Red Sea, along the coasts of Australia, Eastern Africa and throughout Southeast Asia. Other names this fish is commonly known by are Silver moonfish, Silver Batfish, Diamond Moonfish, Diamondfish, Fingerfish, Kitefish, Singapore Angelfish, and Malayan Angel.

Status:      The Mono or Mono Argentus is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:      The Mono Argentus is a disc- shaped fish with a flattened body, similar to that of a freshwater Angelfish. Its body coloration is a shiny silver with light yellow coloring on the dorsal, anal and tail fins. There are two vertical black bands, one extending through the eye with another just behind it that extends across the body and along the front edges of the dorsal and anal fin. Juveniles have brighter yellow dorsal fin.

Size - Weight:      Maximum size in the wild is about 11 inches (27 cm) although tank raised specimens rarely grow larger than 6 inches (15 cm).

Care and feeding:      The Monos are omnivores. Although they will eat dried foods, they really should be fed a varied diet consisting of fresh or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. They can also be offered lettuce and spinach.
     A minimum school size of at least three Monos is recommended, with five or more being better. They will need at least a 55 gallon aquarium with plenty of aeration. Some Monos will survive for awhile in pure freshwater but they really are brackish water fish. Their aquarium water should be made brackish by the addition of some high quality marine water salt mix, approximately 2 - 3 teaspoons per gallon. This species will also do very well in pure saltwater and usually looks their best when kept this way.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:      Monos will swim in all parts of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Temp: 75 - 82 ° F (22 – 26 ° C)
     Hardness: 8 - 14 dGH
     Ph: 7.2 - 8.5

Social Behaviors:      A schooling fish, the Monos do best in groups of 5 or more. They are lively and rambunctious, but they are peaceful with their tank mates. They may eat small fish and shrimp and they are easily intimidated by large or aggressive fish. So be sure none of their tank mates are likely to ever grow to be much larger than the Monos will, and also be sure their tank mates aren't bite size. Good choices would be Mollies, Archers, and brackish species of Gobies.

Sexual Differences:      Sexual differences are unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:     Monodactylus Argenteus has not been bred in captivity.

Availability:      This species of Monodactylus, the Mono or Mono Argentus, is commonly available.

Author: Ken Childs
Edited by Animal-World