Silver Dollar - Metynnis argenteus

Species name: Metynnis argenteus

Synonym: Metynnis lippincottianus, Metynnis eigenmanni

Common Names:

Family: Characidae subfamily: Serrasalminae

Order: Characiformes

Class: Actinopterygii

Max. size: 14 cm /5.5 inches

Environment: freshwater

Origin: South America. Tapajós River basin.

Temperament: non aggressive.

Company: Suitable for a community aquarium.

Water parameters: pH 5.5-7.0, temperature 24-27°C / 75-80 ° F

Aquarium setup: Always keep more then one of these fishes together in an aquarium. They require large aquarium with suitable hiding places, which can be created using roots and rocks. Do not use plants in aquarium with this species since they will be eaten however plastic plants might be a good setup detail to create more hiding places.

Feeding: Accepts all kinds of vegetable food.

Breeding: Sexing is done by looking at the anal fin which in males are longer and red. This species is easily breed. Floating plants promotes spawning. Each spawning contains up to 200 eggs, which hatches after 3 days and after an additional 2-5 days the fry is swimming. They will start eating approximately 2 days after they become free swimming. Raising the temperature and increasing lights might promote spawning.

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