Product Details

Blackberry Silver Dollar – Myloplus schomburgkii

Overview:

The Blackberry Silver Dollar is a large, spectacular South American characin with a rounded silver body and a bold dark vertical bar that gives mature fish a dramatic, high-contrast look. Closely related to pacus and other silver-dollar type fishes, Myloplus schomburgkii is generally peaceful with suitably sized tank mates, but it is a powerful, fast-growing shoaling fish that needs a very large aquarium. This is a specialist display species for aquarists with the space, filtration and feeding budget to keep a group properly.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Blackberry Silver Dollar
Other Names: Black Bar Silver Dollar, Black Barred Myleus, Black Barred Metynis, Black-band Myleus, Disk Tetra, Black-barred Disk Pacu, Myleus schomburgkii
Scientific Name: Myloplus schomburgkii
Fish Type: Large Characin / Silver Dollar-type Fish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Myloplus schomburgkii is native to tropical South America. FishBase records it from the middle and lower Amazon River basin, the Nanay River, the upper Orinoco River basin and possibly Suriname. In the wild, silver-dollar type serrasalmids are associated with large river systems, flooded forests and open swimming areas where they feed heavily on plant material, fruits, seeds and other available foods.

In the aquarium, this means the Blackberry Silver Dollar needs open space, stable water quality, strong filtration and room to move as a group.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Blackberry Silver Dollars have a deep, rounded body with a bright metallic silver to grey sheen. The key feature is the dark vertical bar through the flank, although the width, shape and intensity of this band can vary. Juveniles may show a less developed bar, while mature fish become broader, deeper-bodied and more impressive.

This is a large fish. FishBase lists Myloplus schomburgkii at up to 42 cm standard length, while aquarium care sources commonly plan for around 35–40 cm in large systems. Mature males may show stronger fin colour or more extended finnage, but sexing juveniles is not reliable.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to very large aquariums, public-style displays or serious private fish rooms. It can work in large peaceful communities with robust fish, but it is not suitable for small community tanks, planted aquascapes with soft plants, nano fish or delicate slow feeders. Most soft aquarium plants are likely to be eaten or shredded.

Use a layout with strong open swimming areas, large pieces of wood, smooth stones and robust décor. Tough plants may be tried, but they should not be relied upon as permanent aquascaping.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 600 litres for a juvenile group, with a tank at least 180 cm long recommended for long-term care. For adult groups, larger aquariums are strongly preferred, especially if mixing them with other large fish. Aquadiction notes that juveniles need at least a four-foot tank, while mature fish require a much larger six-foot-plus aquarium footprint.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–27°C
pH: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer, slightly acidic water preferred
Additional Notes: Provide powerful filtration, high oxygenation and regular large water changes. Large silver-dollar type fish produce a significant waste load, so nitrate control and stable water quality are essential. Avoid cramped or poorly filtered aquariums.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Semi-Aggressive

Blackberry Silver Dollars are usually peaceful for their size, but they are fast, powerful and should only be kept with suitable companions. Good tank mates include large peaceful cichlids, larger characins, robust catfish, medium to large plecs, larger rainbowfish and other fish too large to be swallowed or bullied.

Avoid small tetras, rasboras, guppies, shrimp, tiny catfish, delicate long-finned fish and very aggressive cichlids that may injure them. They should be kept in a group of at least 5, with 6 or more preferred where space allows. Seriously Fish also recommends groups of at least five and notes that much smaller fish may be eaten.

Feeding:

Blackberry Silver Dollars are mainly herbivorous to omnivorous and need a vegetable-rich diet. Offer spirulina flakes, algae wafers, vegetable-based pellets, large quality flakes and herbivore sticks as staple foods. Supplement with blanched courgette, spinach, peas, romaine lettuce and other suitable greens. They will also accept some protein foods such as bloodworm, brineshrimp, krill, chopped mussel or prawn, but meaty foods should not dominate the diet.

Fishi-pedia describes Myloplus schomburgkii as herbivorous and recommends a varied diet including dry, fresh and frozen foods.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a midwater shoaling fish that becomes nervous if kept alone or in cramped conditions. In a proper group, Blackberry Silver Dollars cruise actively through open water and often move together when startled. They can be skittish, so use a secure lid and position the aquarium where sudden movement will not constantly alarm them.

Care Notes:

Plan for adult size from the start. This fish is often sold at a manageable juvenile size but grows into a large, strong characin with powerful teeth. FishBase warns that Myloplus schomburgkii has powerful dentition capable of causing serious bites, so care should be taken when netting, moving or hand-feeding adult fish.

Keep in groups, provide very strong filtration, expect plant damage and avoid mixing with small fish. Recent taxonomic revision of black-barred disk pacus means some narrow-barred fish previously sold as M. schomburgkii may actually be Myloplus sauron, so pattern and final appearance can vary between imports.

Recommended For:

Experienced

Availability:

Occasional / Specialist import or farmed silver-dollar type fish

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, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.