Silver Dollar Fish
The vegetarian piranha cousin — a shimmering, disc-shaped schooling fish that will devour every plant in your aquarium. That metallic silver body, that flat disc shape, those tiny scales that catch the light. Complete guide: why Silver Dollars are plant-eating machines, the 280L+ tank requirement, and their surprising Piranha family connection.
📋 Species Overview
🌿 Plant-Eating Machines — NO Live Plants!
Silver Dollars are in the same family as Piranhas (Serrasalmidae) — but instead of meat, they eat plants. And they eat A LOT of plants. They will devour every live plant in your tank within days. Java fern, Anubias, everything — gone. If you want a planted tank, Silver Dollars are absolutely the wrong fish. Use silk/plastic plants or hardscape (rocks, driftwood) only. Feed: high-quality veggie flakes/pellets (Spirulina-based), blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, romaine lettuce), and occasional protein treats.
🐟 Skittish Schoolers — Need Open Swimming Space
Silver Dollars are extremely skittish — they need a group of 5+ to feel secure, and a long tank with plenty of open swimming space. Without a group, they panic at shadows, crash into tank walls, and injure themselves. They're peaceful community fish despite their Piranha family tree — excellent tank mates for similarly-sized peaceful fish (larger Tetras, peaceful Cichlids, Bala Sharks). 280L/75gal minimum for a group — they reach 20 cm and are active swimmers.