Home · Serrasalmidae · Collared silver dollar
Collared silver dollar (Myloplus torquatus) — Serrasalmidae

Collared silver dollar

Myloplus torquatus
Family: Serrasalmidae

The Collared silver dollar (Myloplus torquatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Collared silver dollar?

Get the app

Description

The collared silver dollar is a characin (Serrasalmidae) from slow-flowing rivers and flooded forest of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, round, strongly laterally compressed, silvery shape with a dark shoulder spot like a collar. Unlike its piranha relatives it is mainly plant-eating: it grazes fruit, seeds, water plants and algae, often beneath overhanging bank vegetation. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Collared silver dollar?

The Collared silver dollar has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Collared silver dollar live?

The Collared silver dollar lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela

How big does the Collared silver dollar get?

The Collared silver dollar grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Collared silver dollar dangerous to humans?

No, the Collared silver dollar is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Collared silver dollar edible?

Yes, the Collared silver dollar is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Collared silver dollar?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Collared silver dollar is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Collared silver dollar sourced
Scientific name
Myloplus torquatus
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Myloplus

More from the family Serrasalmidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Collared silver dollar?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Collared silver dollar is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Collared silver dollar? Get the app