Blackberry Silver Dollar

The Blackberry Silver Dollar is a beautiful and peaceful freshwater fish that is a variation of the more common Silver Dollar. With its dark, near-black coloration and iridescent highlights, the Blackberry Silver Dollar adds an attractive and unique look to aquariums. Native to South America, this species is highly prized by aquarists for its striking appearance and calm nature.

Scientific Name:

Metynnis hypsauchen (Blackberry Silver Dollar)

Maximum Size:

• Blackberry Silver Dollars can grow to a maximum size of 6-8 inches (15-20 cm).

• They are slightly larger than the typical Silver Dollar species and have a round, disc-shaped body with smooth, reflective scales.

Native Region:

• Blackberry Silver Dollars are native to the Amazon River Basin and Orinoco River system in South America.

• They inhabit slow-moving waters, flooded forests, and lakes, where the water is typically soft, slightly acidic, and rich in vegetation.

Diet (Carnivorous or Omnivorous?)

• Omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant matter and small animals.

• In the wild, they graze on a variety of aquatic plants, seeds, small invertebrates, and decaying organic material.

• In captivity, they will accept:
  ✅ High-quality flakes or pellets formulated for herbivores and omnivores.
  ✅ Live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
  ✅ Vegetables, including blanched spinach, zucchini, and lettuce.
  ✅ Algae wafers to mimic their natural diet.
  ❌ Avoid overfeeding, as it can cause water quality issues and health problems.

Lifespan:

• Blackberry Silver Dollars typically live between 10-15 years in a well-maintained aquarium.

Breeding Season & Behavior:

• Breeding Blackberry Silver Dollars in captivity is possible but challenging, as they require specific conditions to encourage spawning.

• They are egg scatterers, and the female lays her eggs, which are fertilized externally by the male.

• Temperature and water quality are key factors in triggering spawning behavior. A slight increase in water temperature and gentle water flow can simulate rainy-season conditions, which is their natural spawning period.

• Eggs are laid on plants or other surfaces, and after about 24-48 hours, the eggs will hatch into fry.

• After hatching, the fry should be kept in a separate tank, as adult Blackberry Silver Dollars may eat their young.

• Water temperature for breeding should be between 78-82°F (25-28°C), with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.5).

Best Tank Mates:

Blackberry Silver Dollars are peaceful and do well in community tanks with other non-aggressive species. They are schooling fish, so it’s best to keep them in groups of at least 4-6 individuals. They are generally social and prefer the company of their own kind.

✅ Other peaceful species (Neon Tetras, Corydoras, Rasboras, Guppies, Platies)
✅ Medium-sized cichlids (Apistogramma, Rams, Kribs)
✅ Barbs (Cherry Barbs, Tinfoil Barbs)
✅ Snails (Mystery Snails, Nerite Snails)
✅ Shrimp (Amano Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp)
✅ Other Silver Dollars or similar species like the Black Silver Dollar.

🚫 Avoid:

• Aggressive species, such as large cichlids or predatory fish, which could stress or harm the Blackberry Silver Dollar.

• Fin-nipping species, as Blackberry Silver Dollars have delicate fins and may become stressed or injured by nippers.

Ideal Tank Conditions:

• Tank Size: A 55-gallon tank or larger is recommended to house a group of Blackberry Silver Dollars. They require plenty of space to swim and explore.

• Temperature: 78-82°F (25-28°C), as Blackberry Silver Dollars are tropical fish that prefer warm water.

• pH: 6.5-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral), to match their native habitat.

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water is best.

• Filtration: A moderate filtration system is necessary to maintain clean water, but the water flow should not be too strong, as Blackberry Silver Dollars prefer calmer waters.

• Décor:

  • Planted tanks are ideal, as Blackberry Silver Dollars enjoy grazing on plants and taking shelter among them.

  • Fine gravel or sand is the best substrate for this species.

  • Driftwood and rock formations can create natural hiding places and add aesthetic value.

  • Floating plants can help mimic the shaded, natural environment of the fish.

⚠ Important Notes:

• Like other Silver Dollar species, Blackberry Silver Dollars are schooling fish and should be kept in groups to reduce stress. A school of at least 4-6 individuals is ideal.

• Active swimmers, they require ample swimming space and should not be overcrowded in small tanks.

• Grazers, they may nibble on softer plants in the aquarium, so it’s essential to provide a mix of hardy plants and algae-based foods.

• Regular water changes are essential to keep the water clean and maintain the health of the fish, as they are sensitive to poor water conditions.

• Peaceful nature: They do not pose a threat to smaller fish, but they may become territorial with other large fish in confined spaces.