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Guapore silver dollar (Metynnis guaporensis) — Serrasalmidae

Guapore silver dollar

Metynnis guaporensis
Family: Serrasalmidae

The Guapore silver dollar (Metynnis guaporensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The Guapore silver dollar is a South American characin (Serrasalmidae) from fresh water of the Madeira and Guapore basins in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, almost round, strongly laterally compressed, bright-silvery body, like a coin. Unlike its piranha relatives it is mainly plant-eating and grazes water plants and algae in schools; at need it also snaps insects. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guapore silver dollar?

The Guapore silver dollar has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Guapore silver dollar live?

The Guapore silver dollar lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Brazil

How big does the Guapore silver dollar get?

The Guapore silver dollar grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Guapore silver dollar dangerous to humans?

No, the Guapore 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Guapore silver dollar sourced
Scientific name
Metynnis guaporensis
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

Fishing method
Fishing with plant bait or paste bait on a bottom or float rig. 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 Metynnis

More from the family Serrasalmidae

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