My Silver Dollars

[guss420]

hey im new to this fish keeping..i recently purchased a 200 litre 4ft tank.. i have 2 silver dollars, 2 silver sharks, 2 golden panchax, 2 mollies and a blue coral gourami.. now one of my silver sharks is getting quite aggressive and chasing my other silver shark and silver dollars..no other fish just them..it seems that at the same time as this started my silver dollar got a mark on the side of hes body..any one know wats up?...and i have a pregnant mollie, she is in a breeding tank by herself..im doin daily water changes to remove unused food.. she still hasnt givin up any lil ones.. if anyone can shed light on my problems it would b much appreciated..
thanks in advance.. russ

 

[Scotch_Egg]

well a molly wont give birth is the conditions airnt right. ya know, ph, ammonia and stress can cause her to keep the kids. ive known silver sharks to be peaceful usually. the mark on the silver doller might be a wound.

 

[guss420]

well a molly wont give birth is the conditions airnt right. ya know, ph, ammonia and stress can cause her to keep the kids. ive known silver sharks to be peaceful usually. the mark on the silver doller might be a wound.

ok..wats the best conditions for the mollies to give birth in..and why is my silver shark so crazy..he was a calm lil fella but all of a sudden he started chasing other fish.. do i need to move my silver dollar to stop more damage occurring..

 

[idlefingers]

Silver Dollars need to be in a larger group (5-6 at least) and need a larger tank for the swimming space IMO. Is the damage on the silver dollar like a mark which is just a different silver colour or more of a cut?

When in smaller numbers, SDs are very skittish and even when in a decent sized group they jump easily. When they get scared they can go nuts and run into things in the tank. Because of this you need to ensure there's no sharp objects or similar in the tank.

 

[guss420]

Silver Dollars need to be in a larger group (5-6 at least) and need a larger tank for the swimming space IMO. Is the damage on the silver dollar like a mark which is just a different silver colour or more of a cut?

When in smaller numbers, SDs are very skittish and even when in a decent sized group they jump easily. When they get scared they can go nuts and run into things in the tank. Because of this you need to ensure there's no sharp objects or similar in the tank.

ive heard they're better in bigger groups, though will they be ok with smaller SDs being brought into the tank..Also will the 200 litre be big enough for all my fish..My silver sharks are growing quite large, will they be a threat. The mark is like silver as if the scales were removed.. can u help with breeding mollies too..I need to know the conditions to help her give up the lil ones.. thanks

 

[idlefingers]

I think the main problem is lack of swimming space rather than territories (not sure if Silver Sharks have territories but I don't think silver dollars do). In my opinion, I think 200L is too small for either of them.

The damage to the SD sounds like it's from it banging into or rubbing against something and isn't a worry. They're very slow at healing so it'll be like that for a while to come but will fix itself in the end. At least, this is what I've found with my SDs.

Sorry, I can't help with your mollies.. I know nothing about them.

 

[guss420]

I think the main problem is lack of swimming space rather than territories (not sure if Silver Sharks have territories but I don't think silver dollars do). In my opinion, I think 200L is too small for either of them.

The damage to the SD sounds like it's from it banging into or rubbing against something and isn't a worry. They're very slow at healing so it'll be like that for a while to come but will fix itself in the end. At least, this is what I've found with my SDs.

Sorry, I can't help with your mollies.. I know nothing about them.

thats cool mate..thanks fo all ya help..im gunna look at gettin a bigger tank for my lil guys..
cheers again

 

[cheesy feet]

I think when breeding mollies a slightly higher pH and brackish water helps?!
To aid healing of the silver dollars cut you can add some melafix

 

[jarcher1390]

my tinfoil barbs get them all the time wen they get scared by my cichlids chasing them they bump into bog wood and scales come off easily
minimum tank size for those type of fish around 5ft by 2 ft by 2ft post pic when u get a new tank would be quite nice to see

 

[guss420]

my tinfoil barbs get them all the time wen they get scared by my cichlids chasing them they bump into bog wood and scales come off easily
minimum tank size for those type of fish around 5ft by 2 ft by 2ft post pic when u get a new tank would be quite nice to see

Thanks guys you have been very helpful..Ok il start looking for a 5ft tank, i hope dat will give em the room they need
As for the molly, il bump the ph up abit and see how she goes..
thanks again..

 

[Scotch_Egg]

and also silver sharks can grow upto 30 cm. just a heads up

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Bala sharks are shoaling fish and do best in groups of at least 5, because they can grow to 12inches+ though a 5ft long by 2ft wide tank is advised for keeping these fish. Bala sharks are skittish fish and may display abnormal behaviour like agression if kept in numbers too small.