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Silver dollar tetra (Brachychalcinus nummus) — Characidae

Silver dollar tetra

Brachychalcinus nummus
Family: Characidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Silver dollar tetra (Brachychalcinus nummus) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The silver dollar tetra is a small characin from fresh water of northern South America, including the Amazon region. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a deep, disc-shaped, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body reminiscent of a coin. It schools in rivers and streams and feeds on plant matter, algae, insects and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver dollar tetra?

The Silver dollar tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Silver dollar tetra live?

The Silver dollar tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Silver dollar tetra get?

The Silver dollar tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Silver dollar tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver dollar tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Silver dollar tetra edible?

The Silver dollar tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zilveren schijftetra verified
English name
Silver dollar tetra verified
Scientific name
Brachychalcinus nummus
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Brachychalcinus

More from the family Characidae

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