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Star silver dollar (Myloplus asterias) — Serrasalmidae

Star silver dollar

Myloplus asterias
Family: Serrasalmidae

The Star silver dollar (Myloplus asterias) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The star silver dollar is a deep-bodied characin (Serrasalmidae), related to the pacus, from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, round, strongly compressed, silvery body sometimes scattered with fine dark dots. Unlike piranhas it is mainly a plant-eater and grazes water plants, fruit and seeds in schools. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Star silver dollar?

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

Where does the Star silver dollar live?

The Star silver dollar lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Star silver dollar get?

The Star silver dollar grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Star silver dollar dangerous to humans?

No, the Star silver dollar is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ster-zilverdollar sourced
English name
Star silver dollar sourced
Scientific name
Myloplus asterias
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Myloplus

More from the family Serrasalmidae

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