Monodactylus sebae (African moony)

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Facts

Latin name	Monodactylus sebae - (Cuvier, 1829)
Local name	African moony
Family	Monodactylidae - Monodactylus
Origin	West Indian Ocean
Max length	25 cm (9.8")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	800 l (211 gal)
Hardiness	Hardy
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable with care
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Mostly peaceful but might be aggressive towards similar species

Feed

Recommended	Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Macroalgea (Eg. seaweed / nori) Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Maybee	Fish

Can be a threat to small fish

This spicies might be a threat to smaller fishes.

Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Frequent feeding

This species requires frequent feeding, at least a couple of times per day.

Heavy load

This species eats a great deal and demands an aquarium that can tolerate such a heavy load.

Sensitive during transportation

This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.

Acclimitises best as a juvenile

This species will better acclimatize to the aquarium`s condition if introduced, when young.

Very small individuals can be very delicate.

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Can coexist with its own species

Several specimen of this species can coexist in the same aquarium, provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Bred in captivity

This species can be bred in captivity, one can therefore consider asking your local fish store for a captive bred specimen.

Family description (Monodactylidae)

Moonfish (Monodactylidae) are unique, with their special shape and that they have a reflective skin. They are seldom kept in private aquaria, but seen occasionally.

They normally live in brackish water, but can get used to water with a salinity of around 35 (specific gravity 1.026). Larger individuals do better in salt water. Adult fish don´t thrive when moved from their environment, this must be taken into account when these fish are acquired

It is important to mimic their natural environment with proper hiding places, plenty of macroalgae and tree roots.

Because they have the the tendency to swim directly into the glass when frightened, this must be avoided. i.e. dim the light gradually and permanently have a nightlight on.

FishBase

Aquarium trade	Yes
Distribution	Eastern Atlantic: west African coast, from Cape Verde to Angola (Ref. 81286), including the Canary Islands (Ref. 7314) and Senegal (Ref. 28587).
German common names	Seba-Flossenblatt
Danish common names	Vestafrikansk månefisk
English common names	African mono

References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2004. Angelfishes and Butterflyfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 3) TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Marvelous Monos; the Moonfishes, Finger Fishes, family Monodactylidae - Wet Web Media - (English)
WWM Crew. FAQs about Monos or Fingerfishes, Family Monodactylidae - Wet Web Media - (English)