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Moon silver dollar (Metynnis luna) — Serrasalmidae

Moon silver dollar

Metynnis luna
Family: Serrasalmidae

The Moon silver dollar (Metynnis luna) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The moon 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 15 cm and has a deep, round, strongly laterally compressed, silvery shape like a coin. Unlike its piranha relatives it is mainly plant-eating: in schools it grazes water plants, fruit, seeds and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moon silver dollar?

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

Where does the Moon silver dollar live?

The Moon silver dollar lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Moon silver dollar get?

The Moon silver dollar grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Moon silver dollar dangerous to humans?

No, the Moon silver dollar is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maan-zilverdollar sourced
English name
Moon silver dollar sourced
Scientific name
Metynnis luna
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.9 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
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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