5 Best Foods for Silver Dollar Fish:
- New Life Spectrum Pellets. These are some pellets designed to sink fairly quickly, ideal for silver dollar fish.
- Cichlid Flakes. Although these flakes are technically made for Cichlids, they can also be used for silver dollar fish.
- Algae Wafers. Yes, silver dollar fish love to eat algae, which makes these algae wafers a great...
What can I Feed my silver dollar fish?
Silver dollar fish need a diet high in plants and vegetables. Commercial Spirulina-based foods and vegetable-based freeze-dried/flake foods are ideal. You can also feed your fish certain live foods, including brine shrimp, bloodworms, and glass worms.
Are silver dollar fish picky eaters?
Silver dollar fish are not overly picky eaters, but you do have to feed them the correct foods. What is really funny to note is that silver dollar fish are in the same family of fish as piranhas. However, unlike piranhas which are exclusively carnivores, silver dollar fish are virtually 100% vegetarian.
How do you take care of a silver dollar Fry?
The fry will swim freely within about 6 to 9 days. To feed the fry, use infursoria types foods, small plankton, brine shrimp nauplii, and veggie flake food. Silver dollar fish should be fed 2 to 3 times a day. They’re highly energetic and active, so they burn through their meals quickly.
What do silver dollars need to grow?
Silver dollars prefer subdued lighting, dark substrate, plenty of room to move about, as well as many good hiding places . It’s advisable to use plastic plants or very sturdy live plants because they will eat most live plants.
How often should you feed silver dollars?
Feed your fish a commercial Spirulina-based food or a vegetable-based flake food every day and occasionally provide live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms as treats. It's also important to use a heater to maintain a water temperature of 75-82 degrees F.
How do you take care of a silver dollar?
Silver Dollars are tropical freshwater fish – the tank should mimic their natural environment as much as possible. They will mainly swim in the middle and top part of the water column and therefore need open areas for swimming. These fish are quite hardy and have some tolerance toward different water conditions.
Do silver dollars eat algae?
Silver dollars survive mostly on plant matter, and will feed on flakes, algae wafers - they go crazy for them, break them up and spread bits about the tank unless you want a fight! - cucumber, courgette, lettuce, and squash, but will also eat brine shrimp and bloodworm.
Are silver dollars bottom feeders?
Corydoras are another decent silver dollar fish tank mate. These fish, also known as corydora catfish, are extremely peaceful bottom feeders and they usually don't bother any other fish no matter the size. What is this?
How long do silver dollars live for?
ten yearsThe silver dollar is a peaceful schooling species that spends most of its time in the mid- to upper-level of the water. Its average lifespan is than ten years but can live longer in captivity. A chin-layer, the adult fish will spawn around 2,000 eggs. This breeding occurs in soft, warm water in low light.
Will silver dollar fish eat fry?
Silver dollar fish do not antagonize other species of fish and they will not eat the eggs or fry of other fish in your tank. Beware, however, that these fish are ravenous eaters of plant life so if you plan to keep them in your aquarium be sure to stick to either plastic plants or hardier varieties of live plants.
How long can silver dollar fish go without food?
Most healthy aquarium fish can go three days to a week without eating. However, it usually isn't recommended to go more a day or two without feeding unless completely necessary.
How fast do silver dollars grow?
With a proper diet, the Silver dollar fish grow very quickly. They reach their full size at 8 months; at this age, they are mature and ready for breeding.
How big can a silver dollar fish grow?
The average length for the most common species of silver dollar fish, Metynnis argentus, is about 6 inches. One of the largest types of the fish, Myleus rubripinnis, can grow to up to 22 inches in length, however, so sizes can vary significantly from species to species.
Do silver dollar fish eat fruit?
Silver Dollars will eat anything you put in the tank. :hmm3grin2orange: They do like their fruits and veggies.
How big of a tank do silver dollars need?
Tank Size. A 75-gallon tank should be plenty for your silver dollar fish. This is assuming a 5 fish minimum for your tank. These are schooling fish that do much better in a group than alone, so we don't recommend including less for the sake of saving space.
Do silver dollar plants need sun?
Silver dollar succulent vine care: Light needs It does well in everything from partial sun to full sun. However, it does the best in full sun—these plants just love a lot of light! Indoors, they like sunny rooms and windows. Outdoors, they can take full sun.
How much light do silver dollar plants need?
Although the silver dollar can grow in low light, it grows better in full to partial sun. It requires at least six to eight hours of sun each day.
How do you grow a silver dollar plant?
Silver dollar is hard to transplant, so growing from seed sprinkled on the ground and covered with a light amount of soil is best. Consider spacing 15 to 18 inches apart for good air circulation between grown plants. Adding a few inches of organic matter will help start a healthy growth. Give it a good drink of water.
How do you take care of a string of Coins?
String of Coins are greenhouse-grown, and thrive in bight-light locations, with in-direct light. These can easily be transitioned into full-sun succulents by covering them with a light tarp for one week while in full-sun. String of Coins grow best when lightly watered twice a week.
How to keep silver dollar fish warm?
Because silver dollar fish tend to naturally inhabit waterways in South America, they typically thrive in slightly warmer water temperatures. Use a water heater and keep a thermometer in or near the tank so you can regulate the temperature as needed.
Why are silver dollar fish important?
These fish are frequently selected for aquariums because they are visually appealing and easy to care for. Learning how to feed and house your silver dollar fish will help improve the chances that it will live a long and healthy life in your home aquarium. Steps.
How hard is silver dollar water?
Test the water's hardness. General hardness is a measurement of how much calcium carbonate is dissolved in the water. Silver dollar fish generally prefer soft water with 70 to 140 parts per million of dissolved calcium carbonate. The ideal range of water hardness for silver dollar fish is between 4 and 8 dH.
What is the black spot on a silver dollar fish?
Silver dollar fish are particularly susceptible to a parasite called black spot/black ick. You can treat this condition with aquarium salt available at pet stores. Because of their flat bodies, silver dollar fish are prone to constipation.
How long does it take for silver dollar fish to hatch?
Eggs hatch within about three days, and within a week the fry will begin to swim around inside the tank and attach themselves to the walls of the tank.
How do silver dollar fish survive?
However, silver dollar fish can survive in water with a pH as low as 5.0 and as high as 7.8. Check the pH every time you change the water. You may also want to test the pH of your water source to ensure that you're not introducing acidic or basic water to an otherwise stable environment.
What temperature do silver dollar fish live in?
However, they may be able to survive in temperatures as low as 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
What are silver dollar fish flakes made of?
The main ingredients in these flakes include algae, fish meal, garlic, and about 50 other plants, veggies, minerals, vitamins, and proteins. Simply put, these Cichlid Flakes will provide your silver dollar fish with a nutritionally balanced diet ...
What are silver dollar wafers?
These are very small wafers, known as micro-wafers, making them easy to eat and digest. They are slow sinking, also ideal for silver dollar fish. These algae wafers will provide plenty of vitamins and minerals for your silver dollar fish, plus they contain a whole lot of protein too.
What are flakes made of?
These flakes are made with a mix of natural ingredients, many ingredients too. This stuff is made with a variety of fruits, vegetables, plants, algae, seaweed, kelp, and other plants. It also contains a bit of animal based proteins from krill, squid, mussels, fish, and other seafoods/fish. This formula is designed to help enhance colors, which ...
Can you use silver dollar fish flakes?
Check Latest Price. Although these flakes are technically made for Cichlids, they can also be used for silver dollar fish. The main ingredients in these flakes include algae, fish meal, garlic, and about 50 other plants, veggies, minerals, vitamins, and proteins. Simply put, these Cichlid Flakes will provide your silver dollar fish ...
Is silver dollar fish picky?
Silver dollar fish are not overly picky eaters , but you do have to feed them the correct foods. What is really funny to note is that silver dollar fish are in the same family of fish as piranhas.
Is Romaine lettuce good for you?
Romaine lettuce is packed full of a variety of vitamins and minerals, it is easy to digest, and helps boost immunity too. Keep in mind that romaine lettuce should be blanched in boiling water for a couple of minutes to help break down fibrous tissue to make it much easier to digest.
How old are silver dollrs?
The silver dollrs are 1 year old. Within 24 hours, tetras were dead and old fish had cloud eye and some had white, wounded lips. Treated tank with Melafix for several days - then two four-day treatments of Tripple Sulfur. All fish look OK but lips of two look pink, like new skin.
How big of a tank should a juvenile fish be?
Juveniles should be kept in tank size of minimum 55 gallons. However, adults should be kept in a 6 foot tank because of there tendency to zoom around. Tank Mates : Many, due to their peaceful nature. They can be housed with Medium to Large sized American Cichlids such as Severums, Green Terrors and Oscars.
How many eggs can a silver dollar lay?
Silver Dollars are an egg laying type of fish and prefer broad leaves to lay their eggs on. The Female can lay up to 2000 eggs and the male will fertilize them.
How hardy is a silver dollar fish?
The Silver Dollar Fish can be fairly hardy once acclimated, but avoid fluctuating water parameters. When you are doing your water changes try to put in water that is as close to the same temperature as possible and don't let those nitrates get too high! If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Where do silver dollar fish come from?
Social Media: The Silver Dollar fish comes from South America and has been a favorite among tropical fish hobbyists for many years. They get to be about 6 inches or about the size of a saucer. They are a brilliant silver in color and in some varieties, the male will have a small amount of red on its anal fin .
Do clown loaches need a tank?
Keeping them with Clown loaches means you will need a large tank! Fish Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease - Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment. Diet / Foods : Herbivore primarily, but will go after most anything you put in the tank.
Do silver dollar fish have different markings?
Some silver dollar species have different markings and may develop different markings, colors, spots or patterns when ready to mate. From: Rick. I have several silvers in a 40 gallon tank along with 2 extremely large black shark/cats. They coexist very well.
Where does the silver dollar come from?
Metynnis argenteus originates in the Tapajós River Basin in Brazil but is widespread in shallower tributaries and river systems across northern South America. It is only one of a dozen different species known in the aquarium trade as the "silver dollar." Metynnis argenteus, Metynnis hypsauchen, Metynnis lippincottianus, Myleus rubripinnis, and Mylossoma aureum are all species regularly seen for sale in the aquarium industry.
How to breed silver dollars?
Silver dollars are easy to breed. They will occasionally spawn without assistance in a large well-suited aquarium. To create breeding pairs, start with a half-dozen or more juveniles and raise them to maturity together. They will reach breeding age at about one year of age and about four inches in length. To optimize breeding success, it's best to condition the males and females in separate tanks prior to breeding. For seven to 10 days, feed them a high-quality plant and vegetable diet with some meaty treats.
What color are silver dollars?
Metynnis argenteus silver dollars are generally a shiny silver over the entire body, but with a slight green or blue tint in the right light. In healthy habitats, they will have small tinted dots on their sides. Hints of red will also appear, especially on the anal fin of the male, which is edged in red.
How long does it take for a squid to breed?
They will reach breeding age at about one year of age and about four inches in length. To optimize breeding success, it's best to condition the males and females in separate tanks prior to breeding. For seven to 10 days, feed them a high-quality plant and vegetable diet with some meaty treats.
How long does it take for a shrimp fry to hatch?
The eggs will fall to the bottom of the tank where they will hatch in three days; they will not be bothered by their vegetarian parents. 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.
Who is Shirlie the fish?
Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. Looking at the round, flat, and shimmering silver dollar, it is easy to see how this fish acquired the name.
Can a squid spawn in a group?
They are naturally group spawners but they can also be bred in known pairs. Breeding pairs should be removed from their school and transferred into a breeding tank. Although the parents will not consume their own eggs or fry, other fish will, so when spawning, place them in a separate tank.
Natural Habitat, Identification, and Where to Buy
This freshwater fish is part of a huge family of fish that are called the same thing. There are many varieties with different colorings and exact detail differences. The most common fish in the aquarist hobby, however, are the Metynnis argenteus, Metynnis hypsauchen, Metynnis lippincottianus, Myleus rubripinnis, and Mylossoma aureum.
Most Popular Species of Silver Dollars
There are three primary silver dollar fish types that have become popular with hobbyists.
Creating the Landscape
Well planted tanks are a silver dollar fish ’s paradise. These fish naturally come from environs filled with plants – and since they’re herbivores, a planted tank not only provides them with shelter but with food. They do tend to pull up plants by their roots or eat them entirely, so be aware that any plants will become dinner time for them.
Society
Silver dollar fish are wonderful for community tanks. They do best in schools and because they’re peaceful and large, they get along well with many species of peaceful fish of many sizes. They’re tough enough to handle the bigger guys and gentle enough to ignore the smaller fish species, so they’re truly a wonderful tank mate for many species.
Gender, Breeding, and Reproductive Considerations
If you decide you’d like to breed your own silver dollar fish at home, thankfully, you’re in luck. These fish are relatively easy to spawn in captivity.
Nutritional Needs
Silver dollar fish should be fed 2 to 3 times a day. They’re highly energetic and active, so they burn through their meals quickly. Of course, they will eat any live plants you’ve got, so they’ll not constantly be ravenous.
Common Diseases and How to Avoid and Treat Them
Silver Dollars have a reputation for being a hardy fish. However, they are just as susceptible as any fish when it comes to problems with their water. Aquariums are a closed system so the tank naturally starts to build up toxic substances like phosphorous, nitrate, and decomposing matter.
What to put in a silver dollar fish tank?
Water lettuce is hands down one of the best plants to put in a silver dollar fish tank. First off, it is a floating plant, the first thing which should help keep them safe from silver dollar fish.
What is the best plant for silver dollar?
Water sprite is another good plant option for Silver Dollars. One reason for this is because it can be grown as a floating plant, it can be tied to rocks or driftwood, and it can be planted in gravel substrate too, thus making it very diverse in this sense. Your best bet is to use it as a floating plant , if you don’t want your fish to eat it.
Can silver dollar fish eat hornwort?
Hornwort is yet another plant that can be grown rooted in substrate, tied to rocks or driftwood, and it can be grown floating as well. Yes, your best bet to avoid it being eaten by silver dollar fish is to grow it floating.
Can silver dollar fish uproot Java moss?
For one, being tied down to something inside of the tank means that silver dollar fish cannot uproot it, at the very least.
Can you leave a silver dollar fish tank without plants?
The bottom line is that silver dollar fish are not the best creatures to have if you want to have lots of plants. Now, these fish do need and like plants, so you cannot just leave a silver dollar tank without any greenery.
Is a silver dollar a fish?
While Silver Dollars are very cool and popular fish, plant compatibility is one of the big frustrations as after all these fish are often referred to water goats for very good reason!
Silver Dollar Fish Facts & Overview
Appearance
- As the name suggests, they look like an old silver dollar. They have a round body that is laterally flattened. Silver Dollar Fish is a generic term that refers to multiple characin species. Metynnis hypsauchen and Metynnis argenteusare two popular species and they look very similar. The only way to spot the difference between these species is the black patches found behind the eyes an…
Habitat and Tank Conditions
- Silver Dollar Fish originate in South America. The waters here are dark and filled with peat. They will also have gravel and rocks with dense vegetation and lots of hiding spots. The rivers that they live in are often full of debris such as driftwood, large rocks, and weeds. As far as currents, the water flow here will be moderate.
Care
- Silver Dollars are pretty hardy fish. As aquariums are closed systems, harmful substances such as nitrate, phosphorous and decomposing organic matter will build up over time. This is why water should be replaced on a regular basis and at least 25-50% of the water should be replaced every other week. Even though Silver Dollars are quite resilient fish there is no guarantee that your fis…
Breeding
- Silver Dollars are relatively easy to spawnin captivity providing they have a large comfortable environment. In the wild, you will find them spawning in shallow waters and in heavily planted areas of flooded rivers. You will first need a mated pair. For the best success of finding breeding pairs always keep them in a group, raising them from juveniles to maturity. This fish usually reac…
Are Silver Dollar Fish Suitable For Your Aquarium?
- Silver Dollars are hardy tropical freshwater fish. They are large peaceful schooling fish that make the perfect addition if you want a community aquarium with good-sized fish. If kept alone they can be quite skittish and are best if kept together. Their name, Silver Dollars, is quite a generic name to refer to different Metynnis species, different in colors and sizes. They are best for aquarists wit…