Product Details

Black Barred Metynis – Myloplus schomburgkii

The Black Barred Metynis is a large, impressive South American silver dollar relative with a deep rounded body and a bold dark vertical body bar. Correctly listed as Myloplus schomburgkii, but still widely sold under the older name Myleus schomburgkii, this is a powerful shoaling fish for very large aquariums. It is generally peaceful with suitably sized tank mates, but it grows far too large for standard community tanks and will eat many soft aquarium plants.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Black Barred Metynis
Other Names: Black Barred Silver Dollar, Black-Barred Myleus, Black Band Myleus, Black-Banded Silver Dollar, Disk Tetra, Black-Eared Pacu
Scientific Name: Myloplus schomburgkii
Older / Trade Name: Myleus schomburgkii
Fish Type: Large Characin / Serrasalmid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Myloplus schomburgkii is native to tropical South America, where it is associated with large river systems, floodplain habitats and open-water areas. It is a shoaling species that needs space to move and enough cover to feel secure.

In the aquarium, Black Barred Metynis should be kept in a large, mature setup with open swimming space, strong filtration and stable water quality. Décor should be secure, as adult fish are powerful, fast-moving and can disturb loose items when startled.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Black Barred Metynis have a deep, laterally compressed silver body with a strong dark vertical bar running through the flank. Depending on age, sex, mood and locality, adults may show metallic silver, grey, bronze, blue, red or dark smoky tones, with fin colour varying between individuals.

Adults can reach around 35–40 cm, with larger sizes possible. Juveniles are often sold at a much smaller size, but this species must be planned as a large adult fish from the start.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is suitable only for large aquariums, monster community displays and specialist South American setups. It is best kept by aquarists who can provide long-term swimming space, a proper shoal, strong filtration and a vegetable-rich diet.

Black Barred Metynis are not suitable for small aquariums, delicate planted aquascapes, nano fish communities, lightly filtered tanks or aquariums with very small fish that may be swallowed.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum for juveniles is 450 litres, with a tank length of at least 150 cm. Adult groups should ideally be kept in 700 litres or more, with a tank length of 180–200 cm+ strongly recommended.

This is a shoaling fish and should be kept in a group of 5 or more where space allows. Larger groups are more natural and confident, but require a very large aquarium and excellent filtration.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–28°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Large silver dollars are active feeders and can produce a heavy waste load, so strong filtration and regular water changes are essential. Avoid high nitrate, poor oxygenation and sudden water-chemistry changes.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Semi-Aggressive

Black Barred Metynis are usually peaceful for their size, but they are large, fast and powerful. They may eat very small fish and can intimidate shy species through constant movement. Suitable tank mates include larger peaceful cichlids, larger characins, robust catfish, large peaceful plecs, larger rainbowfish in compatible conditions and other similarly sized South American community fish.

Avoid tiny tetras, guppies, shrimp, delicate long-finned fish, slow shy feeders, aggressive fin-biters and highly territorial fish that may injure them. Their teeth are strong, so they should be handled carefully and not encouraged to bite bags, nets or fingers.

Feeding:

Black Barred Metynis are primarily herbivorous to omnivorous and need a plant-rich diet. Offer spirulina flakes, herbivore pellets, algae wafers, floating sticks, softened leafy greens, courgette, cucumber, peas, spinach, romaine lettuce and other safe vegetable foods.

They will also accept frozen and prepared foods such as brineshrimp, bloodworm, mysis and small meaty items, but these should be supplementary rather than the main diet. A vegetable-heavy diet supports long-term health and helps reduce damage to aquarium plants.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active shoaling fish that spends much of its time moving through open water. A settled group can create an impressive display, especially as the body bar becomes stronger and adult fish develop metallic body tones.

They can be nervous if kept singly, in small numbers or in exposed aquariums. Sudden movement outside the tank may cause fast dashing, so provide a secure lid, open swimming room and a calm aquarium location.

Care Notes:

Add Black Barred Metynis only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium with strong filtration and plenty of swimming room. Secure heaters, pipework and hardscape, as large active fish can knock loose equipment. Tough plants such as Anubias, Java fern or artificial planting may last better than soft-leaved plants, but even robust plants may be sampled.

Because “Black Barred Metynis” is a trade name, colour, bar width and body tone can vary between suppliers and localities. List with Myloplus schomburgkii for current taxonomy and include Myleus schomburgkii for customer search.

Recommended For:

Experienced

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, black bar width, silver sheen, body tone, fin colour, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.