Mono Angel Fish || Monodactylus Argenteus Care & Tank Set Up Guide || Ishika Wild Life
The Mono Monodactylus argenteus is a beautiful silvery fish that definitely has a place in any brackish aquarium. This Silver Moony is one of the aquarium favorites. It is a good sized fish, deep bodied and laterally compressed with an attractive roundish diamond shape.
Overall the Mono Fish is silver in color highlighted with a light yellow on the dorsal, a**l and tail fins. Two vertical black stripes adorn the front, one running through the eye and a second across the gill. When they are young they also have a bright yellow dorsal fin which adds to their appeal. The disc-like shape and shiny silver color have led to all sorts of descriptive common names like Silver Moony, Silver Moonfish, Silver Batfish, Diamond Moonfish, Diamondfish, Fingerfish, Kitefish, and even Malayan Angel.
The Moonfish, Scats and Archerfish are the quintessential brackish water fish. They are all big, attractively patterned, and very durable. Almost every brackish aquarium will include at least one these types. This Moony will grow up to about 6 inches (15 cm) in the aquarium. They must be kept in schools however, as individuals are too nervous to be kept on their own. But they are a peaceful shoaling fish and a school of these fish are a beautiful sight. Mono’s and Scats mix well with each other too, and a mixed school of these species can be kept with great success.
If kept correctly, a school of Mono Argentus will give you many years of enjoyment. The Mono is suggested for a more experienced fish keeper because of their need to change water conditions as they age. Some Moon Fish will survive for awhile in a freshwater environment when young, but as adults they really are brackish water fish. Adults can even be acclimated to a full saltwater environment. If you are up for that challenge these fish are easy to feed and will take a variety of foods.
Mono Fish are lively and entertaining to watch, but they are also timid and easily frightened. Keep them with peaceful tank mates, but not too little as they may eat smaller fish. They are hearty eaters and enjoy a variety of foods from live and frozen foods to flakes, and will even munch on lettuce and spinach.
Aquarium Setup
Monos will swim in all parts of the aquarium. A minimum school size of at least five Mono Fish is recommended, with more being better. Pairs and trios They will need at least a 55 gallon aquarium with plenty of aeration. As they grow an upgraded tank will be needed. 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.
For substrate use a fine gravel or sand. A high efficient undergravel filter will work well to keep the oxygen level high in the tank. A efficient canister filter will work well with these aggressive, messy eaters. Monos need plenty of swimming space and driftwood, branches and roots make good decor and an area for the fish to entertain themselves.
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gal (208 L)
Suitable for Nano Tank: No
Substrate Type: Sand/Gravel Mix
Lighting Needs: Moderate – normal lighting
Temperature: 75.0 to 82.0° F (23.9 to 27.8° C)
Range ph: 7.2-8.5
Hardness Range: 8 – 14 dGH
Brackish: Yes – Adults must be kept in strongly brackish water or fully marine aquariums.
Water Movement: Moderate
Water Region: All
Aquarium Care
Some Mono Fish will survive for awhile in pure freshwater but they really are brackish water fish. These fish are also greedy, fast growing feeders and produce a lot of waste. They need quality water conditions and so a powerful filter is essential. Their tank should be cleaned weekly and have at least a 30% water change done.
Water Changes: Weekly – Do at least a 30% water change weekly.
The Mono Argentus is a disc- shaped fish with a flattened body, similar to that of a freshwater Angelfish minus the feelers. Mono Fish can reach up to 11 inches (27 cm) in the wild. In the aquarium they will generally not get much bigger than about 6 inches (15 cm) with a life span of about 7 – 10 years.
The body coloration of the Mono is a shiny silver with light yellow coloring on the dorsal, a**l 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 a**l fin. Juveniles have a brighter yellow dorsal fin.
Size of fish – inches: 10.6 inches (27.00 cm) – Tank raised specimens rarely grow larger than 6 inches (15 cm).
Lifespan: 7 years – The Mono has a lifespan of about 7-10 years.
#MonoAngelFish #SilverMoonFish
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