Black Bar Silver Dollar

Black Bar Silver Dollar (Myleus Schomburgkii)

The Black Bar Silver Dollar, also known as Black Banded Myleus, is a graceful and robust fish native to South America. Its round, disc-like body gleams in metallic silver, adorned by distinctive, vertical black bars. These markings give the fish a sophisticated look, making it a centerpiece in any aquarium. The Black Bar Silver Dollar is a hardy fish suitable for intermediate-level fish keepers.

These peaceful, social fish are best kept in groups of 5 or more, reaching an adult size of 6-8 inches. They generally exhibit peaceful behavior and can coexist with other larger, non-aggressive species. However, it's important to note that smaller fish may be at risk as Black Bar Silver Dollars may eat them.

Black Bar Silver Dollars primarily occupy the middle and top areas of the aquarium, so it is advisable to select tankmates that occupy the bottom to create a balanced distribution of fish within the tank. Larger, peaceful catfish species like plecos and doradids can be suitable choices. It's worth considering that Black Bar Silver Dollars have strong jaws capable of biting, so this should be taken into account when selecting tankmates.

Silver Dollars are predominantly herbivorous and require a significant amount of vegetable matter in their diet. Vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, peas, and spring greens should be included. Commercial foods like algae wafers, spirulina, and vegetable flakes are also recommended. They also appreciate a varied diet of frozen and live foods such as bloodworms. While Silver Dollars accept a wide range of aquarium foods, it's important to ensure they receive their fair share, particularly when housed with more aggressive eaters such as Barbs and Tetras. Monitoring their feeding behavior is crucial to maintain their nutritional intake.

Silver Dollars require a spacious tank with plenty of swimming room. To replicate their natural habitat and minimize stress, incorporate rocks, plants, driftwood, and dark-colored substrate, as well as open swimming areas in the aquarium. However, it's important to note that all Silver Dollar species have a tendency to nibble on plants. Therefore, opting for hardy plants that can withstand their browsing behavior is recommended. Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) and Anubias (Anubias spp.) are two hardy aquatic plants known for their resilience. Both have tough leaves that can withstand a certain degree of nibbling from Silver Dollars. However, no plant is completely Silver Dollar-proof, and these fish may still cause damage over time. These plants also provide the added benefit of being low-maintenance and able to thrive in a range of water conditions. Alternatively, artificial plants can be used as a suitable alternative. Providing dim lighting and areas of refuge will help boost their confidence.

A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended, with larger tanks being more suitable for larger schools. The ideal water parameters are a pH of 6.0-7.5, hardness of 5-19 dGH, and a temperature of 74-82°F (23-28°C). It's important to ensure your aquarium has efficient filtration to maintain clean water, as Silver Dollars are sensitive to poor water conditions.

Due to their quick movements when suddenly startled, it is advisable to use a tight-fitting lid to prevent them from leaping out of the tank.