The Silver Moonyfish (Monodactylus argenteus) is a marine (saltwater) fish in the Monodactylidae family of moonyfish. It is also known as the Butter Bream and Diamondfish.
The Silver Moonyfish is silver and diamond-shaped with yellow edges on its fins. The dorsal (back) and anal (bottom) fins have black tips.
It grows to about 27 centimetres (11 inches) long.
It is native to the western Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. It can live in a range of habitats from the open ocean to freshwater rivers.
It feeds on plankton and dead matter, so it is a planktivore and a detritivore.
The Silver Moonyfish can be solitary or it can be seen in groups called schools.
The young Silver Moonyfish are more yellow than the adults, and they have two vertical black bands, with one black band through its eyes.
Location of photographs: Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM