ps77

Hi, first post here!
We have had silver dollars for about 6 months now and it seems they've started mating.
But as these are the first silver dollars we've had we're not sure what happens now! Do they lay eggs immediately or is there a gestation period first?
Any help or advice gratefully recieved!
Thanks. Peter

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore peter!!!
If you have a breeding pair, the female will spawn her eggs and usually they like big leaves to spawn on....but not totally picky as to where....they are much like angels.....after 3-5 days, they will begin to hatch.....if ANY other fish are in the tank with them, they will probably eat the eggs before they hatch or eat the free swimming fry (which happens after 7-10 days)
good luck!

ps77

Thanks for the reply! As we have other (always hungry) fish they'll probably get eaten quite quickly! Unless we can rescue them.
Also, does anyone know how long after they mate she lays the eggs?

Amanda

She will lay the eggs first, and the male fertilizes them immediatly after...

ps77

Oh ok! So their rubbing each other is just for fun then! I assumed that they were actually mating. Thanks for the info.

ps77

So does anyone know whats happening when the female hooks her fin under the males fin and they seem to shimmer their bodies together? It looks awfully like mating! But everyone tells me that she lays the eggs and then the male fertilizes them!
Sorry for asking obvious questions, I'm quite new to owning fish (especially mating ones!)!

ps77

Hi, just another dumb question: What do the eggs look like? Are they immediately noticeable or do you have to look for them?

platy ben

I assume the eggs would be small and a pale colour, close to white I should imagine. They should be noticeable if they are all in one place, but if they are scattered they will be difficult to spot to begin with.

aquarist48

Good morning,
Here are a few links that may help you with Silver Dollar breeding:
How to keep and feed your silver dollar with pictures
Silver Dollar | Metynnis argenteus
Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus) - A Profile of the Silver Dollar (Metynnis argenteus)
Best of luck and please keep us posted.
Ken

ps77

Thanks for your help! No eggs yet....