Metynnis argenteus

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Silver dollar

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Characidae
Subfamily:	Serrasalminae
Genus:	Metynnis
Species:	M. argenteus

Binomial name

Metynnis argenteus
Ahl, 1923

The silver dollar (Metynnis argenteus) is a tropical fish belonging to the Characidae family which is closely related to piranha and pacú. Originating in the Tapajós River basin in South America, this somewhat round-shaped silver fish with slight red-tinged anal fin is mostly found in tanks kept by 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. An egg-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.

[edit] Other silver dollar species

- Metynnis altidorsalis
- Metynnis argenteus
  - Silver dollar money
- Metynnis fasciatus
  - Striped silver dollar money
- 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