Common name: African moony

Synonyms and Other Names: Chaetodon rhombeus Block & Schneider, 1801; Psettias sebae (Cuvier, 1829); Psettus sebae Cuvier, 1829

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: The body Monodactylus sebae is compressed and taller than it is long.  Overall body coloration is silver with four dark vertical stripes strongly developed across the head (at the eye) and body from the tip of the dorsal fin down to the tip of the anal fin. Scales cover the anal and dorsal fins. This species lacks the yellowish coloration in the caudal fin seen in other species of Monodactylus (Monks 2006).

Size: 25 cm TL, common to 15 cm TL (Schneider 1990)

Native Range: Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean along the African coast from Senegal to Angola and the Canary Islands (Desoutter 1990).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Monodactylus sebae is primarily found in estuaries and coastal mangrove habitat, but is able to live in both freshwater and marine habitats (Schneider 1990).  Under experimental conditions, ideal growth for eggs and larvae is approximately 6.5 ppt salinity indicating it probably spawns in brackish water (Akatsu et al. 1977).  This species has a variable clutch size from 825 – 5,800 eggs (Akatsu et al. 1977) and feeds on invertebrates and fish (Longhurst 1957; Bauchot 2003).

Means of Introduction: Probable aquarium release

Status: Unknown

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

References: (click for full references)

Akatsu, S., Y. Ogasawara, and F. Yasuda. 1977. Spawning behavior and development of eggs and larvae of the striped fingerfish, Monodactylus sebae. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 23(4):208-214.

Desoutter, M. 1990. Monodactylidae. In: Check-list of fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic.  Quéro, J.C., J.C. Hureau, C.Karrer, A. Post, and L. Saldanha (eds). UNESCO, Portugal, 1492 pp.

Bauchot, M.L., 2003. Monodactylidae. p. 512-513. In D. Paugy, C. Lévêque and G.G Teugels (eds.) The fresh and brackish water fishes of West Africa Volume 2. Coll. faune et flore tropicales 40. Institut de recherche de développement, Paris, France, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris, France and Musée royal de l'Afrique Central, Tervuren, Belgium, 815p.

Longhurst, A. R. 1957. The food of the demersal fish of a West African estuary. Journal of Animal Ecology 26(2):369-387.

Monks, N. 2006. Brackish-water fishes; an aquarist’s guide to identification, care, and husbandry. T.F.H. Publications. Neptune City, New Jersey. 383p.

Schneider, W., 1990. FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Field guide to the commercial marine resources of the Gulf of Guinea. Prepared and published with the support of the FAO Regional Office for Africa. Rome: FAO. 268 p.

Other Resources:

Author: Schofield, P.J., and Brown, M.E.

Peer Review Date: 10/7/2019

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.