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| Scientific name | Metynnis argenteus |
| Common name | Silver Dollar |
| Natural Habitat | South America |
| Appearance | Generally disc-shaped and shiny silver in colour, hence their common name. The dorsal fin is transparent with dark spots, and the caudal fin edged with red; males have a bright red anal fin (see the large fish in the photograph.) |
| Maximum size | 5 to 8 inches in length, slightly less in body depth |
| Aquarium Compatibility | Peaceful; despite their superficial resemblance and relationship to the Piranha, Silver Dollars will not harm your smaller fish. They prefer to be kept in small shoals of 3 to 5. |
| Diet | Vegetarian :Silver dollars will take chunks out of your soft-leaved plants if hungry, so supplement their diet with flake foods with a high vegetable content, available from any aquarists' supplier, and parboiled lettuce or peas. They will also take small live foods on occasion. |
| Notes |
My three Silver Dollars were bought as a trio less than six months ago and were barely an inch deep; they have grown at an amazing rate and the largest - clearly a male - has already reached 4 inches. Silver dollars like to hang out together in amongst the vegetation for much of their time, so provide a well-planted tank. |
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Silver Dollar
(Metynnis argenteus)
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