silver moony

Scientific name Monodactylus argenteus
Descriptor Linnaeus
Year of description 1758
IUCN category LC
Family Monodactylidae
Genus Monodactylus
Monodactylus argenteus Monodactylus argenteus

Introduction

Monodactylus argenteus, commonly known as silver moony, is a brackish water and salt water fish.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    12 cm
  • Maximum size
    27 cm
  • Longevity
    8 year
  • Pattern
    vertical stripes
  • Average size
    12 cm
  • Maximum size
    27 cm
  • Longevity
    8 year
  • Pattern
    vertical stripes

How to recognize the silver moony ?

The silver moony measures between 12 and 27 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly jaune and argent body. The also has noir vertical stripes.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living in shoals
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The silver moony is a fish living in shoals naturally found at mid-depth. This species is carnivorous .

Although the silver moony is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    dont le mode de reproduction est encore inconnu

The silver moony is a fish dont le mode de reproduction est encore inconnu.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    24 - 28 °C
  • Depth
    0 - 12 m

Biotope presentation

The silver moony is most often found at a depth between 0m and 12m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    280 liters
  • Population min
    3
  • Temperature
    24 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    8.2 - 8.4

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    hard
  • Robustness
    sensible
  • Behaviour
    slightly aggressive
  • Availability
    occasional

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

The realization of a seawater aquarium requires certain knowledge beforehand. Seawater is generally synthetic, consisting of reverse osmosis water and synthetic salt at a level of 33g / liters. It is also possible to take seawater directly (after making sure that the water is not polluted). The operation of a seawater aquarium is done in three phases: the installation of a living stone decoration, the introduction of invertebrates one month later, and the introduction of fish 3 months later. It is essential to wait as long as possible before to introduce the animals so that the micro-fauna has had time to develop well. The balance and the physico-chemical stability are fundamental for the success of this type of tank.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the silver moony

The silver moony is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 24 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. The silver moony is sensitive to abrupt changes in parameters as well as to chemicals. Its acclimation in an aquarium must be done with special care to prevent it from developing diseases or weaknesses. Nitrate levels should remain below 25mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.

The silver moony is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species or other animals.

This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.

Cohabitation & Environment

Being a living in shoals fish, it is advisable to install at least 3 individuals in an aquarium of 280 liters minimum. Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease. Warning, mixing several species living in the same living area is not recommended if the volume is not significant.

Tips for feeding

The silver moony is carnivorous.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Reproduction protocol

  • egg-laying protection
    No

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

These animals might interest you

To go further

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

Captive maturation, breeding and seed production of the brackishwater ornamental fish silver moony, Monodactylus argenteus (Linnaeus, 1758) - Dani Thomas - Muniyandi Kailasam - Mattalakkal Unnikrishnan Rekha - Raymond Jani Angel - Krishna Sukumaran - Thirugnanamurthy Sivaramakrishnan - Dondapati Raja Babu - Ramasubbu Subburaj - Govindarajan Thiagarajan - Koyadan Kizhakedath Vijayan - WILEY - 2020.

Aspects of Biology of Indian moony, Diamond fish Monodactylus argenteus (Linnaeus 1758) recently habitat in Mithbav Creek, Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, India - Yeragi SS - Yeragi SG - Mathew Shaji - Int. J. of Life Sciences - 2014.

Interact with Fishipedia

To get in touch with our team or participate in our project.

Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023
  • {{name}}

    {{#street_number}}{{street_number}}, {{/street_number}}{{#route}}{{route}}{{/route}}
    {{postal_code}} {{town}}

    {{#phone}}{{phone}}{{/phone}}{{^phone}}-{{/phone}}