Red-hook Silver Dollar Care Guide
Myloplus rubripinnis is a tall, peaceful schooling silver dollar from the Amazon and Orinoco with a bright red anal fin and a herbivorous diet.
Overview
Myloplus rubripinnis, the red-hook silver dollar, is a tall, laterally compressed serrasalmid described by Müller and Troschel in 1844. Its common name refers to the largely red anal fin. It is a peaceful, gregarious fish that schools readily despite being capable of strong bites.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serrasalmidae
- Genus: Myloplus
- Scientific name: Myloplus rubripinnis
- Order: Characiformes
Habitat
The species occurs in the Amazon and Orinoco basins and rivers of the Guiana Shield, across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. FishBase describes it as a benthopelagic freshwater fish that prefers calm river zones with overhanging vegetation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 4-18 °dGH
- School size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Myloplus rubripinnis is herbivorous, with FishBase recording a low trophic level of about 2.0; adults feed on the leaves of river plants. In the aquarium it eats most soft plants, so a planted layout is difficult to keep with this species.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, non-aggressive, middle-water schooling fish. Suitable companions include larger tetras and plecos; soft live plants are eaten and should be considered incompatible.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.