All fish / Monodactylidae

Silver Mono

Monodactylus argenteus

Also known as mono, silver moony, diamond fish, malayan angel, fingerfish, silver batfish, mono angel, silver moonfish, butter bream, ปลาเทวดาน้ำกร่อย, ปลาผีเสื้อเงิน, ikan chermin

The silver mono has a tall, almost diamond-shaped silver body. Its dorsal and anal fins are tipped yellow, and two black bars cross the head. Keepers like it for its striking shoaling displays and active, bold personality in large brackish tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality pellets and flakes, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and some vegetable matter

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific coasts and estuaries, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and Australia

Breeding

It has not been bred reliably in home aquariums. It spawns in the sea, and the juveniles move into estuaries and mangroves. Fish in the trade are almost all wild-caught or farmed.

Good to know

Juveniles are often sold as freshwater fish, but adults need brackish water that becomes close to marine as they grow, and they reach over 20 cm. Monos are boisterous and will eat small tankmates, and single fish or pairs tend to bully each other.