North American silver dollar (SciiFii)

The North American silver dollar (Metynnis argenteus), also known as the North American silver pacu, is a species of serrasalmid fish that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, lakes, rivers, and ponds across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the North American silver dollar is Metynnis argenteus. Round-bodied and laterally compressed, under normal conditions, the North American silver dollar is a uniform silver colour, sometimes showing vague red colouration in the fins and around the throat. Commonly seen for sale as juveniles at around two inches long, they are peaceful shoalers. Fully grown females in captivity can reach a length of between five and six inches while males tend to be marginally smaller. In good condition, females tend to be fuller in the belly than males, while males develop marginally longer fins as they grow older. During courtship and breeding, males develop two large, very prominent black spots, one above the other, just behind the base of the pectoral fins, the red colouration of the fins deepens and contrasting black borders appear. Some male specimens may also display other dark marbling on the flanks. Females display little, if any, variation in colour during courtship and breeding. North American silver dollars , like all other known Metynnis, are mainly herbivores, but also take animal matter. In captivity, they will readily and eagerly accept dried flake food as well as live and frozen foods like bloodworm, shelled shrimps, rinsed tuna, daphnia and brine shrimp. A very peaceful shoaling species, North American silver dollars can be skittish and timid if left without any kind of shelter, and if kept in isolation they tend to become reclusive. Kept in a shoal, given plenty of room to move and provided with cover behind which they can hide if they feel threatened, they do very well indeed. Contrary to popular myth they are not overly demanding with regard to water quality, though they do best in cool or warm, clear, well-aerated, mobile and well-filtered water, however, they are known to tolerate cold temperatures. They are peaceful enough to be trusted with much smaller fish than themselves, and robust enough to cope in the company of much larger fish. The conservation status of the North American silver dollar is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American silver dollar's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii