Monodactylus sebae

(Cuvier, 1829)

Sebae Mono, African Striped Mono, Finger Fish, African Angelfish

Range: Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Canary Islands and Senegal to Angola.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits river mouths, estuaries, mangrove roots and rocky reefs at depths between 3 - 30 feet (1 – 10 m) and feeds on floating debris, plankton and small fishes.

General Husbandry: Has a silvery diamond-shaped body, somewhat like the freshwater angelfish, with a black vertical stripe through the eyes, another just aft of the head, and third on the aft body. Its caudal peduncle is also black.

Keep in mind this is basically a brackish water fish, one that occasionally enters freshwater areas.

Best maintained in large aquariums with wide-open swimming and hiding areas. Can be maintained at a wide range of salinities, nevertheless, knowledge of what salinity your specimen comes from prior to it entering your aquarium is highly advisable. If lower or higher, acclimate slowly as necessary prior to it entering your aquarium.

As to diet, feed a wide variety of frozen and fresh meaty foodstuffs (chopped squid, scallops, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc.) and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori and pellets formulated for omnivores, several times daily. Will also consume small fishes in the aquarium.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Monodactylidae

Genus: Monodactylus

FYI: This is a shoaling fish, therefore best maintained in small groups of five or more.

When stressed or at night, becomes blackish.

Tank raised/raised on fish farms in Florida.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only or reef aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 125+ gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 84°F (23 – 29°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.010 -1.025

pH: 7.2 - 8.5