
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Monodactylus argenteus
A brackish fish with a silver diamond-shaped body and two black bars crossing the eye and gill cover. It ranges widely through estuaries and mangroves of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, reaching 27cm.
Monodactylus argenteus is a monodactylid ranging from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf through the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. FishBase records 27cm standard length with 12cm as a common size. The silver diamond-shaped body carries two black bars across the eye and gill cover, most pronounced in juveniles, which are also yellower. It tolerates a wide range of salinities from the open sea through brackish estuaries into fresh water, and that tolerance has made it a model organism for salinity research. LiveAquaria gives 22-26C, pH 8.1-8.4, 8-12dKH and a 492 litre minimum, and rates it semi-aggressive; FishBase records 24-28C in the wild. It may stay solitary or form schools, and its strong swimming demands a long tank. It is an omnivore taking detritus and plankton.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Mono lives 5-8 years.
The Mono grows to 12-27cm.
The ideal temperature for the Mono is 22〜26℃.
Origin
Indian Ocean and western Pacific (estuaries from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf eastwards)
Lifespan
5-8 years
Size
Sources: FishBase / LiveAquaria
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Find listings for this species
12-27cm
Temperature
22〜26℃
Prepared foods with both animal and vegetable content, frozen foods
LiveAquaria gives a 492 litre (130 gallon) minimum. It is a strong swimmer, so choose a long tank and leave plenty of open water.
LiveAquaria gives 22-26C (72-78F), pH 8.1-8.4 and 8-12dKH; FishBase records 24-28C in the wild. It tolerates a wide salinity range from brackish to marine, but long-term keeping calls for a stable salinity and a high, steady pH.
LiveAquaria rates it semi-aggressive, and Wikipedia notes territorial behaviour while adding that it may stay solitary or school. Pair it with robust brackish fishes of similar size.
An omnivore feeding on detritus and plankton in the wild. Offer prepared foods containing both animal and vegetable matter, supplemented with frozen foods.
Neither FishBase nor Wikipedia documents a home-aquarium breeding protocol, and no primary source confirming spawning could be found.
This is a brackish to marine fish and should not be kept permanently in fresh water. Juveniles handle salinity changes well, but any change should still be made gradually.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Mono is 22〜26℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Mono is 5-8 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Mono typically reaches 12-27cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Mono feeds on: Prepared foods with both animal and vegetable content, frozen foods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Mono varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026