Silver Mono (Monodactylus argenteus) Care Guide
Monodactylus argenteus is a diamond-shaped silvery schooling fish that needs increasing salinity with age, ultimately requiring marine conditions.
Overview
Monodactylus argenteus, the silver mono or Malayan angel, is a diamond-shaped silvery fish of the family Monodactylidae. It is a schooling, euryhaline species that generally requires increasing salinity as it matures.
Taxonomy
- Family: Monodactylidae
- Genus: Monodactylus
- Scientific name: Monodactylus argenteus
- Common synonym: Malayan Angel
Habitat
FishBase records the species across the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, New Caledonia and Australia. It is found in bays, mangrove estuaries, tidal creeks and the lower reaches of freshwater streams, inhabiting marine, brackish and freshwater conditions to depths of about 12 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 15-30 °dGH
- Group size: keep in groups of 5 or more
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Water type: brackish, trending marine with age
Diet
The silver mono is an omnivore. FishBase reports it feeds on plankton and detritus in the wild. In the aquarium it accepts a varied diet of meaty and plant-based foods, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful schooling fish; FishBase notes adults can be territorial and are commonly found in large schools, so keeping a group reduces stress. Suitable tankmates include scats and archerfish; small or aggressive fish should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2016).