Silver Dollar Care Guide

Overview

The Silver Dollar, also known as Schreitmuller's Metynnis, is a social and resilient aquatic entity ideal for those with moderate fishkeeping experience. These peaceful and playful creatures bring life to a well-maintained aquarium environment.

Tank Setup

Silver Dollars require a spacious aquarium due to their social nature and potential to reach lengths of 12 to 18 cm. It is recommended to keep them in a school of at least six individuals. Each fish requires approximately 40 liters of water. The tank should have a stable temperature range between 24°C and 28°C and a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5. Creating an environment that includes surface, mid-tank, and bottom dwelling areas will satisfy their exploratory and sometimes shy behavior.

Feeding

Silver Dollars have a diverse diet and are not picky eaters. Provide a varied diet including flakes, pellets, and a range of protein-rich options such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and feeder fish. Enrich their diet with frozen shrimp, daphnia, and micro worms. Supplements like vegetable matter, algae wafers, color-enhancing food, and freeze-dried foods support their health. Use stick-on tablets to promote engagement and playful behavior during feeding.

Care Requirements

The Silver Dollar is a moderately maintained species, ensuring they thrive involves regular water changes and tank maintenance. Monitor water parameters to avoid drastic changes. These fish have a hardiness rating of 4, indicating their resilience, but they do require a consistent environment for optimal health. While being social, they can display moderately territorial behavior, which is generally not perplexing if they have ample swimming space.

Breeding

Breeding Silver Dollars tends to induce only slightly more aggressive behavior. It is important to provide hiding spots and a peaceful environment during this time. Vegetation and faint lighting will also encourage breeding. Overall, the Silver Dollar is a moderately popular yet uncommon choice for aquarium enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of peacefulness and slight territorial tendencies. With proper care, they can be a vibrant addition to your aquatic habitat.