Moonfish

Moonfish 

 

Common Names 

Silver Moony, Moonfish, Mono Argentus 

Scientific Name 

Monodactylus argenteus 

Family 

Monodactylidae 

Diet 

Omnivore 

Lifespan 

7-10 years 

Natural Habitat/Origin 

     The Moonfish have a very large distribution in the Red Sea, along the coasts of Australia, Eastern Africa and throughout Southeast Asia. They are commonly found in the shallow areas of estuaries, inshore reefs, and freshwater tidal pools, where the adults typically inhabit the coastal areas while the juveniles like to inhabit brackish environments.  

Appearance 

     The Moonfish is a small disc-shaped fish with a flattened body. This species has a silver body with yellow dorsal, anal, and tail fins. They also have black bands, one extending along the body and another extending along the eye of the fish with more covering the front edge of the anal and dorsal fin. Juveniles usually have a brighter yellow dorsal fin. 

Conservation Status 

The Moonfish is currently not listed on the IUCN Red List.