What size tank do silver dollars need?
At least 75 gallons (284 liters) for a group of 5. The smallest standard tank that works is the 75 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. We give the size for an adult fish in a proper group, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Metynnis argenteus.
How many silver dollars in each tank size?
This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if silver dollars are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.
| Tank | How many silver dollars |
|---|---|
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon breeder | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | 5 |
| 125 gallon | up to 9 |
Check silver dollars against your own tank and other fish
Good to know
- Eats almost every live plant.
- Keep at least 5. Alone or in twos and threes, silver dollars hide, stop eating well, or pick on each other.
Tank mates for silver dollars
These animals like the same water, are a safe size, and have a temper that fits. It is a match on paper: always watch new tankmates for the first week.
- Common pleco
- Siamese algae eater
- Pearl gourami
- Giant danio
- Clown loach
- Pictus catfish
- Sterba's corydoras
- Clown pleco
Poor matches
- Neon tetra: Silver dollar (about 6 in) can eat neon tetra (about 1.4 in).
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish do best with other fancy goldfish.
- Oscar: Oscar is aggressive and will bully or kill peaceful fish such as silver dollar.
- Molly: They need different water: Silver dollar likes a pH of 5.5–7.5, molly likes 7.5–8.5.
Questions and answers
What size tank do silver dollars need?
At least 75 gallons (284 liters) for a group of 5. The smallest standard tank that works is the 75 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many silver dollars should be kept together?
At least 5. Silver dollars are social animals and only behave naturally in a group. More is better if the tank has room.
Can silver dollars live in a 10 gallon tank?
No. Silver dollar needs at least 75 gallons (284 liters), and grows to 6 in (15 cm), far too long for a 20 inch tank.
What temperature do silver dollars need?
75–82 °F (24–28 °C), with a pH of 5.5–7.5. In most homes that means a heater.
Can silver dollars live with a betta?
Usually, yes, in a tank of 75 gallons (284 liters) or more. They like the same water: 75–82 °F (24–28 °C). Every betta has its own temper, so watch closely for the first week and have a spare tank ready.
More fish
- Bleeding heart tetra
- X-ray tetra
- Green neon tetra
- Scissortail rasbora
- Lambchop rasbora
- Gold barb
- All 118 species
Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.