Thickhead Disc Tetra - Metynnis hypsauchen

The thick-headed disc tetra (Metynnis hypsauchen, also called silver dollar or high-backed disc tetra) from South America is a very high-backed, laterally strongly flattened tetra. The unusual shape and color has led to its English name Silver Dollar and the German name Scheibensalmler, respectively. The silver base color shimmers mysteriously, and depending on the mood, sometimes a dark shoulder spot or a fine line pattern appears. The fins are orange to red. The fathead disc tetra grows to about 18 inches long and needs a really large aquarium.

The bighead tetra belongs to the saw tetras. It is a schooling fish and needs the company of at least 6-10 specimens of its species. This tetra is definitely a case for aquariums of 400 liters or more. It can live up to 14 years in the aquarium.
Since this large aquarium fish is an avid herbivore, all aquarium plants are not safe from the Thickhead Disc Tetra. An unplanted tank with nice stone structures and root wood and a gravelly substrate is best for keeping it.

The Thickhead Disc Tetra is a peaceful aquarium fish that can be socialized with medium and also large ornamental fish. It goes very well with South American species, including large-growing loricariids or South American cichlids and large tetras - except for fish that need a densely planted tank.

Although this is a herbivore, it cannot be ruled out that the Silver Dollar will grab a shrimp that swims in front of its mouth. Therefore one should refrain from a socialization. The attitude with dwarf crayfish or crayfish can function however well.

The High Back Disc Tetra prefers soft to medium hard aquarium water and a pH of 5.5-7, i.e. in the slightly acidic to neutral range. A high humic content is helpful.

The breeding of the High Backed Disc Tetra succeeds very well in aquaristics. The animals like to spawn in groups in soft and slightly acidic water in a separate breeding tank. Frequent small water changes simulate the rainy season, and high aquarium temperatures around 28 °C promote spawning. The fathead disc tetra is a free spawner and does not eat its own spawn. The parent fish are removed from the breeding tank at the latest after hatching for better rearing of the fry. Spawning takes place near the surface.

Thickhead disc tetras are herbivores. They like vegetarian food, but now and then they also like to take some frozen food or flake food for omnivorous aquarium fish.

Our food recommendation: This NatureHolic main feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free from algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.