Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Also sold as Blackberry silver dollar · Spotted silver dollar
Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus) is a peaceful freshwater fish that reaches about 15 cm (5.9 in) and swims in open water. It wants 75–82°F (24–28°C) and pH 6–7, is kept in groups of 5 or more, and needs a tank of at least 260 L (69 gal).
Check a freshwater stocking selection with your tank size and animal counts.
Try it in a tank
Put Silver Dollar in a 3D tank at your size and see how it sits with everything else. Free with an account.
At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 15 cm (5.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 260 L (69 gal) |
| Group size | 5 or more |
| Temperature | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| pH | 6–7 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
| Eats shrimp | Yes |
Before it goes in
- Silver Dollar needs at least 260 L (69 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 75 Gallon.
- Keep 5 or more. Below that it hides, colours down and is far more likely to be picked on.
- It eats small fish and shrimp — anything under about 5 cm (2 in). In this library that means Cherry Shrimp, Rummy Nose Tetra and Crystal Red Shrimp.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Iridescent Shark, Senegal Bichir and Black Ghost Knifefish: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 75–82°F (24–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Goldfish and Dojo Loach.
- It eats most plants. Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' and Bacopa caroliniana will not last with it; tough-leaved Anubias nana 'Petite' and Marimo Moss Ball will.
- A group of 5 takes up roughly 54% of what a 75 Gallon will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
Silver Dollar: care and setup
What tank size does it need?
At least 260 L (69 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 75 Gallon.
How many should I keep?
5 or more. Fewer than that and it spends its time hiding instead of out in the open.
Will it eat shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp are food to it, so pick one or the other.
What water does it want?
75–82°F (24–28°C), pH 6–7.
How long does it live?
10 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly, Otocinclus and Ramshorn Snail.
- Plants that hold up with it: Anubias nana 'Petite', Marimo Moss Ball, Subwassertang and Anubias barteri.
Often compared with
| Silver Dollar | Silver Hatchetfish | Angelfish | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 15 cm | 4 cm | 15 cm |
| Min tank | 260 L | 108 L | 150 L |
| Group | 5+ | 6+ | 1+ |
| Temperature | 75–82°F (24–28°C) | 68–82°F (20–28°C) | 75–84°F (24–29°C) |
| Eats shrimp | Yes | — | Yes |