Silver dollar tank mates
A schooling herbivore that eats every plant in the tank. Needs real lateral space and is incompatible with any planted aquascape.
Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.
Best tank mates (on file)
Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.
The Silver dollar profile lists Bala / silver shark as both safe and a recommended pairing. Bala / silver shark schools in groups of 5 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Bala / silver shark grows bigger than Silver dollar (35cm vs 12cm). Stock the Silver dollar group large enough to outnumber the Bala / silver shark, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Silver dollar profile lists Boesemani Rainbowfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Boesemani Rainbowfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Silver dollar profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Corydoras Catfish swims in the bottom zone while Silver dollar stays in the middle, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
The Silver dollar profile lists Giant danio as both safe and a recommended pairing. Giant danio schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Silver dollar profile lists Tinfoil barb as a recommended pairing. Tinfoil barb schools in groups of 5 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Tinfoil barb grows bigger than Silver dollar (35cm vs 12cm). Stock the Silver dollar group large enough to outnumber the Tinfoil barb, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
Risky or situational
From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Pea Puffer is flagged as a fin-nipper and Silver dollar carries the long-finned risk profile (veil tails, trailing fins). Expect torn fins within days unless the nipper is in a proper group and the long-finned fish has plenty of cover. Pea Puffer is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Pea Puffer is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Silver dollar. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Fish to avoid with Silver dollar
From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.
Silver dollar is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Guppy at 5cm is well within an adult Silver dollar's gape.
Silver dollar is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Ember Tetra at 2cm is well within an adult Silver dollar's gape.
Silver dollar is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Chili Rasbora at 2cm is well within an adult Silver dollar's gape.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Silver dollar: 300L — group minimum 5 (schooling).
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 300L hub.
Easier alternatives to consider
Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.
Plan before you buy
Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.
Filtration & heating
A 300L minimum tank for Silver dollar needs a filter rated for at least 1200L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 24–30°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Banded leporinus — min 300L
- Denison's / red-line torpedo barb — min 250L
- Denisons Barb — min 250L
- Giant danio — min 200L
- Rainbow / red-tailed black shark — min 200L
- Rosy Barb — min 180L
- Scissortail Rasbora — min 150L
- Gold / Chinese barb — min 120L