Learn more about the inhabitants of the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Saltwater Tank below!
Fish
Metynnis argenteus
Silver Dollar
Natural History: Silver Dollars inhabit rivers throughout South America. They are voracious plant eaters and are informally known as “plant piranhas!” They are a part of the family characidae, which includes piranhas and tetras.
Diet: They are omnivorous but prefer to eat plant matter. They will consume nearly anything they can fit into their mouth!
Lifespan: Up to 10 years with proper care!
Behavior: Silver Dollars are naturally shy fish and prefer to stay in groups. You often will see them schooling with one another.
Poecilia sphenops
Common Molly
Natural History: Mollies inhabit slow-moving rivers throughout North and South America. They come in a wide variety of colors, mostly as a result of breeding in the aquarium industry. Female mollies are usually larger than males! Mollies are also livebearers, meaning the female will give birth to free-swimming fry.
Diet: Like Silver Dollars, mollies also consume mostly plant matter but will eat high protein foods.
Lifespan: Between 3-5 years.
Behavior: Mollies are peaceful shoaling fish who do best in groups. You may see them swimming either by themselves or with another member of their species.
