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Silver Dollar fish (Mylossoma duriventre) — Serrasalmidae

Silver Dollar fish

Mylossoma duriventre
Family: Serrasalmidae
LC · Least Concern

The Silver Dollar fish (Mylossoma duriventre) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; Parana-Paraguay and La Plata basins.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The silver mylossoma is a serrasalmid (Serrasalmidae) from South America, related to the pacus and piranhas but plant-eating. The species has a deep, teardrop-shaped, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body. It lives in schools in rivers and on floodplains and is highly dependent on the flooded forest. It feeds mainly on fruit, seeds, leaves and other plant matter. It is an important food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver Dollar fish?

The Silver Dollar fish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep, rounded teardrop-shaped silver body; herbivorous pacu relative, dependent on flooded forest.

Where does the Silver Dollar fish live?

The Silver Dollar fish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America; Parana-Paraguay and La Plata basins.

How big does the Silver Dollar fish get?

The Silver Dollar fish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Silver Dollar fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver Dollar fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Silver Dollar fish edible?

Yes, the Silver Dollar fish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Silver Dollar fish (Mylossoma duriventre) — Serrasalmidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sandra williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver Dollar fish (Mylossoma duriventre) — Serrasalmidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — François-Louis Laporte, comte de Castelnau (Public domain)
Silver Dollar fish (Mylossoma duriventre) — Serrasalmidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) inzaenity, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silver Dollar fish (Mylossoma duriventre) — Serrasalmidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sandra williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Silver Dollar fish verified
Scientific name
Mylossoma duriventre
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; Parana-Paraguay and La Plata basins.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly fruit, seeds, leaves and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Deep, rounded teardrop-shaped silver body; herbivorous pacu relative, dependent on flooded forest. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Mylossoma

More from the family Serrasalmidae

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