- Metynnis argenteus
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Silver dollar 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Characiformes Family: Characidae Subfamily: Serrasalminae Genus: Metynnis Species: M. argenteus Binomial name Metynnis argenteus
Ahl, 1923Silver dollar is a common name given to a number of species of Metynnis, a tropical fish belonging to the Characidae family which is closely related to piranha and pacu. Originating in the Tapajós River basin in South America, this somewhat round-shaped silver fish with slight red-tinged anal fin is popular with fish-keeping hobbyists. It will grow to a maximum length of 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).
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. A chin-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 24–28 °C (75–82 °F). 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.
Contents
Fish compatibility
The silver dollar is listed as semi-aggressive but it is very mellow like the pacu. These fish can be kept in community tanks with fish that can't fit in their mouths, so don't put a full-grown silver dollar with small neon tetras and guppies. These fish can also be kept with larger fish like oscars, pikes, and larger catfish when full grown.
Breeding
The best way to acquire a breeding pair is to purchase a half dozen juvenile silver dollars and raise them together. The parents will not consume the eggs or fry, although other fish will, so when spawning them it is wise to place them in a separate tank. To facilitate spawning, make sure the water is soft (8 dgH or below) and warm (80 to 82 F), keep the lighting dim, and provide fine leafed plants.
Eventually a pair will spawn, and the female will lay up to 2000 eggs. The eggs will fall to the bottom of the tank, where they will hatch in three days. After approximately a week, the fry will be free swimming and able to eat fine foods such as commercially prepared fry food, finely crushed spirulina, or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
Other silver dollar species
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- Metynnis altidorsalis
- Metynnis argenteus
- Silver dollar
- Metynnis fasciatus
- Striped silver dollar
- Metynnis guaporensis
- Metynnis hypsauchen
- Schreitmüller's silver dollar
- Striped silver dollar
- Metynnis lippincottianus
- Spotted silver dollar
- Metynnis luna
- Red-spot silver dollar
- Metynnis maculatus
- Speckled silver dollar
- Metynnis mola
- Metynnis otuquensis
- Myleus rubripinnis
- Red hook silver dollar
- Myleus schomburgki
- Black-barred silver dollar
- Mylossoma duriventre
- Silver mylossoma
- Hard-bellied silver dollar
Hard Bellies are silvery and somewhat transparent; they are the most commonly encountered species.
See also
References
- "Metynnis argenteus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=163248. Retrieved October 13, 2004.
- Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2004). "Metynnis argenteus" in FishBase. August 2004 version.
- Template:Freshaquarium.com
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