Metynnis argenteus - silver dollar
The silver dollar (Metynnis argenteus) is a tropical fish belonging to the Characidae family which is closely related to pirahna and pacú. Originating in the Tapajós River basin in South America, this somewhat round-shaped silver fish with slight red-tinged anal fin is mostly found in tanks kept by fish-keeping hobbyists. It will grow to a maximum length of 5.5 inches (14 centimeters).
The silver dollar is a peaceful schooling species that spends most of its time in the mid- to upper-level of the water. Its maximum lifespan is more than 10 years. An egg-layer, the adult fish will spawn around 2,000 eggs. This breeding occurs in soft, warm water in low light.
Silver dollars natively live in a tropical climate in the sides of weedy rivers. They prefer water with a pH of 5–7, a water hardness of up to 15 dGH, and an ideal temperature range of 75–82 °F (24–28 °C). Their diet is almost exclusively vegetarian and in captivity they will often eat all the plants in a tank. They will also eat worms and small insects.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:48 am
website with very usefull stuff…….
January 13th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I have four silver dollars in my 30 gallon aquarium. I have noticed that all but the largest of them no longer have tailfins, no bottom fins and very little of a top fin. did the largest of them eat the others fins?