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Kottelat's moony (Monodactylus kottelati) — Monodactylidae

Kottelat's moony

Monodactylus kottelati

The Kottelat's moony (Monodactylus kottelati) is a brackish-water fish of the family Monodactylidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka

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Description

Kottelat's moony is a moonyfish (Monodactylidae) from estuaries, mangroves and lower river reaches of West Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, disc-shaped, strongly laterally compressed, shiny silver body with high dorsal and anal fins and yellow tints. As a social schooling fish it swims in brackish and fresh coastal water and snaps at small zooplankton, insects and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kottelat's moony?

The Kottelat's moony has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Kottelat's moony live?

The Kottelat's moony lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Sri Lanka

How big does the Kottelat's moony get?

The Kottelat's moony grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Kottelat's moony dangerous to humans?

No, the Kottelat's moony is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Kottelat's moony sourced
Scientific name
Monodactylus kottelati
Family
Monodactylidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Monodactylus

More from the family Monodactylidae

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