Metynnis argenteus
From Freepedia
| Silver Dollar Conservation status: Unknown | ||||||||||||||||
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| Metynnis argenteus Ahl, 1923 |
The Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus Ahl, 1923) is a tropical fish belonging to the Characidae family which is closely related to the Pirahna. 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 5.5 inches (14.0 centimeters).
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 a 2000 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 5.0 - 7.0 pH, a water hardness of up to 15.0 dGH, and an ideal temperature range of 75 - 82 °F (24 - 28 °C). 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.
See also
References
- "Metynnis argenteus" (TSN 163248). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on October 13 2004.
- "Metynnis argenteus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. August 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
- Sharpe, Shirlie (2004) Silver Dollar, Your Guide to Freshwater Aquariums [online] Available from: http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/characins2/a/silverdollar.htm Accessed on October 13 2004.
