penance

I just noticed their coloring this evening during feeding their tails have developed a darker coloring, almost black, it's really quite pretty and was wondering more on what type of silver dollar they may be?

Photos and Video





edit - just got the video in



Thanks for the help ^^

aquarist48

Hello. As far as I know it's a common (not sure of the real name) Silver $. I know it isn't a red hook or a striped. They can change color according to their moods. Mine get black spots on their body and the red fins get really bright at mating time.
They are beautiful!
I had a LFS to sell me Red Bellied Pacu's (babies) as Silver Dollars once. It was really hard to tell a difference until they grew a bit. Had to take them back to the LFS. Let's make sure they are Silver $'s and not Pacu's.
I'm sure you'll get some more responses.

Edit...the more I look at the pictures the more I think they are Pacu's
hmmmmmm

penance

I just linked the video

aquarist - thanks for your guess but I really hope the aren't pacu's, I'd have to start worrying lol

aquarist48

LOL I'm sorry it's just really hard for me to tell without having them side by side. This will bump your thread to the top. I want an answer to this myself now LOL

GypsyGirl71

They look like silver dollars to me.....except for that tail! That looks more like a pacu to me. I had a pacu once, (before I knew what I was doing) he lived about 3 years in a 33 gal hex. I never had any trouble with him but with what I've read since I've started fish keeping again, they would scare me. And 55 gal wouldnt be enough room for 5 anyway. My silver dollars have lots of odd coloring and changes with their moods too. I've even noticed some coloration on the top fins lately. The dark spots aquarist spoke of are very common with my guys.

cerianthus

I dont think they are Pacu. I am curious though. Have any one or all of them bothered/nibbled/nipped on the llive plants? i dont recall any Siver $ i kept which did not bothered live plants?Try googling for Metynnis hypsauchen, Myleus Sp. Ther are so many which will resemble each other and may/does show different coloration/patterns depending on their moods such as feeding, spawning or when the water conditions are optimal to their liking.

penance

I'm sure my silver dollars nibble or feed on my plants, just when I'm not watching ... Otherwise it'd be like o.o "momma caught us!" lol

I'm going to try and get some more usable photos

Tony G.

you have very pretty Fishies

penance

Thanks!

Last night I noticed that the black on their tails was actually fading so I believe that they just may be a common type and was just going through a mood/color change

aquarist48

They will change color as you stated. My Silver $'s will turn black on some parts of their body, even spotted at times when mating is about to occur. They'll zoom around in circles real fast then rest side by side and just quiver. Amazing fish