Kottelati?

[monoducze]

Hi, I need help with my Monos. I have 5 Monos since yesterday. And I am not sure, these are an Argenteus. Maybe these are Kottelati? They have about 5cm.

 

[nmonks]

The two species are difficult to tell apart. From the FAO handbook to fishes of the region, the following key is given:

• 2a. Body depth 1.2 to 1.6 times in standard length; distance between tips of dorsal and anal fins 0.8 to 0.9 times in standard length; caudal fin emarginate; posterior edge of dorsal and anal fins distinctly concave -- Monodactylus argenteus
• 2b. Body depth 1 to 1.1 times in standard length; distance between tips of dorsal and anal fins 0.6 to 0.7 times in standard length; caudal fin truncate to very slightly emarginate; posterior edge of dorsal and anal fins almost straight -- Monodactylus kottelati

There are drawings in the FAO guide, pp 3218-3219, that illustrate the differences nicely. All things considered, I suspect yours are Monodactylus argenteus. In particular I'd draw your attention to the shape of the tips of the dorsal and anal fins, the curve of the lateral line, and the overall "square on a corner" shape of the body.

Cheers, Neale

 

[monoducze]

Thanks a lot!

Link and yours suggestions was very useful. However I think that i have Monos Argenteus.

 

[monoducze]

My tank with Monos

 

[nmonks]

Looks great! What else is in there? A few gobies hopping about the bottom of the tank would be neat.

Cheers, Neale

My tank with Monos

 

[monoducze]

I'm thinking about Arius seemani x3... I like active fishes. I think that hard brackish water with salinity about 1.020 (I'm heading to it) will be better for arius then gobies. Second way is the tank only with Monos.

ps. Sorry for my English

 

[nmonks]

It's a myth than Monodactylus, Scatophagus or ariid catfish need fully marine conditions when they mature. They do not. All these fish will be perfectly happy at SG 1.010 their entire lives. Swimming space and water quality are much more important.

At SG 1.010 things are especially good because you can use a protein skimmer. Because you're using less than half as much salt than a marine aquarium, water changes are cheaper. So you can do more of them!

So by all means add appropriate gobies if you wish. Knight gobies (Stigmatogobius spp.) or violet gobies (Gobioides spp.) would be appropriate and relatively easy to maintain, provided they got enough food. Some of the larger sleeper gobies would be good too, for example Butis spp. or even Dormitator spp.

Cheers, Neale

 

[monoducze]

But feeding will not be easy with all-time hungry monos

Thanks for suggestions about salinity, I will rethink it.

What do you think about crustaceans from Baltic sea? For example Palaeomon elegans (survive with monos?) or Mytilus edulis (as filtrators)?

Feeding
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2-sFBEYHg4

 

[nmonks]

We have the same brackish water shrimps here in England, and they last a fair while in tropical conditions. Collect them in summer for best results because they'll be pre-adapted to warm water. In winter, they seem to die quickly when exposed to warm water.

As for Mytilus, no, won't live long. Use as food, or not at all. On the other hand, Mytilus and Ostrea *shells* look great in brackish water tanks. Use silicone to glue them together, or onto rocks, to make a "reef".

Cheers, Neale

 

[monoducze]

Thanks Neale! but I'm afraid that I will have a problem with this species in Poland...

Present photo:

 

[monoducze]

One more question, gobies like to dig in sand?