| Monodactylus argenteus | |
|---|---|
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| Monodactylus argenteus, commonly known as the silver moony, Mono angel | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acanthuriformes |
| Family: | Monodactylidae |
| Genus: | Monodactylus |
| Species: | M. argenteus |
| Binomial name | |
| Monodactylus argenteus | |
| Synonyms | |
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Monodactylus argenteus is a species of fish in the family Monodactylidae, the moonyfishes. Its common names include silver moonyfish, or natal moony, [2] butter bream, and diamondfish. [3] It is native to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and associated estuaries, such as the Mekong Delta. [2]
This species reaches a maximum length of about 27 centimeters. It is bright shiny silver with yellowish edges to the fins. [2] The dorsal and anal fins have black tips. [3] Juveniles have more yellow coloration [2] and are distinguished by two vertical black bands. [4]
This species occurs in a wide variety of habitat types, including the open ocean, brackish waters, and the freshwater habitat of rivers. [2] In Australia it can be found in harbors and estuaries around piers. [3] Its ability to survive in a wide range of salinities makes it a model organism in the study of salinity tolerance. [4] [5] Juveniles are especially tolerant to salinity changes, easily maintaining homeostasis in variable environments such as estuaries. [4]
Although the silver moony displays territorial behavior, [2] the species can be kept in saltwater aquaria and is easy to rear in captivity. [5] It can remain solitary or form schools. It is a detritivore and planktivore.
The myxozoan parasite Kudoa monodactyli was first described from and named after this fish. [6]
Additionally, the second word of its binomial name is derivative of "argentum", which is Latin for "silver", likely relating to its silver hue.
