wendlle

Just wondering, I have a VERY large silver dollar who is very quiet. I am thinking of getting a few small fish for my tank but will he eat them??

AlyeskaGirl

They are primarily a herbivore and peaceful. How big is he?

aquarist48

Hello Wendlle. Silver Dollars are herbivores and not meat eaters. Your other fish should be fine.
Ken

wendlle

I thought so as I have had him for years! He is quite big around 10cm.

aquarist48

Hello Wendlle. Your Silver Dollar sounds awesome. Maybe you can share some photos sometime
Ken

ATKINSON

Dont silver dollars need to be in schools to thrive?

wendlle

that's what they say, but i've had "bruce" for about 6 years now and he is just fine by himself.

aquarist48

Hello Wendlle. Just wanted to let you know I've moved your thread to the "Silver Dollar" section of the forum.
Thanks!
Ken

sickfish

Hi Wendlle -

Be very careful here. Although the other posters have said that Silver Dollars are herbivores, I'm afraid I have had experience that suggests otherwise.

My mother-in-law asked if I could take in some fish from a friend of hers whose tank had burst. One of those fish included a 12cm Silver Dollar that over the course of a few days decimated my tank's original neon and WCM population.

The truth is, I wasn't completely surprised as it's fairly well known that most fish of the Tetra/Pacu families will eat anything that will fit in their mouths. Unfortunately I didn't have another tank prepared for my smaller fish.

I suppose I might as well restock the tank with some friends for Mr. Chompy since when he's not eating smaller fish he's pretty nervous and skittish.

aquarist48

Hello Sickfish. Are you sure that you have a Silver Dollar and not a Pacu? Just curious.
Ken

sickfish

Lol - a fair question.

I am fairly certain that I have a silver dollar. I used to keep Pacus and their jaw profile is much more muscular and prominent with more visible teeth.

Below is a picture I took of him about 30 minutes ago:

aquarist48

LOL Well, it isn't a Red Bellied Pacu and it's not a Black one either so I think you do indeed have a Silver Dollar. Too, I think if it was a Pacu it would thicker. He's beautiful! I just find it amazing that he's eating your little neons. I think you need to have a long talk with him! Give him one of these
Best wishes!
Ken

sickfish

A bit late for that I'm afraid. He ate my last fish this morning.
I bought three large Corydoras this afternoon though. I believe that their size and armour plating should be enough to deter any exploratory nibbles.

Truth is, what I really need is a few more dollars to keep Mr Chompy company.

aquarist48

Sickfish sorry to hear it. Silver Dollars are a schooling fish and some tank mates of his own kind may help a great deal.
Ken

Sarcastic