Silver Dollars as dithers?

S

Sumpin'fishy

Humble Disciple of Jesus Christ
Oct 16, 2002
673
0
0
49
Savannah, GA
How do Silver Dollars par up as dither fish? I have two cichlids I'd like to come out more often and need some quick, robust, active fish to draw them out. I would prefer if they are mid-top dwellers, as they will be forced up there anyways;) I looked at others but Tinfoil Barbs are too big, and the Giant Danios I saw aren't large enough yet....might end up as a snack! Would they work better?

I've never fed feeder fish to my cichlids, yet......only Ghost shrimp, btw. Are Silver Dollars a good or bad choice? I also posted in cichlid forum but I'm focussing on the dithers themselves here.
 
In MY OPINION

I think that the silver dollars are a good option, because they area a beautiful fish, but the problem is the kind of cicllids that you have, by example, is diferent if you have small ciclids (2 - 6 inchs), or ciclids bigger than 6 inchs, because the big ciclids trend to be more agressive with the dollars.
 
I posted my ideas in the cichild section, but I would use the Silver Dollars if the Giant Danios are real small. I personally would check the Rainbow fish first.
 
Yes, rainbows work well. Otherwise, if you can find the Golden Wonder Killifish they get decent sized and don't take any $**t. For the life of me, I still can't find their latin name, but they're about 4" with a silver green front and a yellow green back. Top level swimmers like other killis. Actually I think they're a panchax.
 
do Dollars 'dither'?

As a relative newbie, IMHO I'd say dollars would not make good 'dither' fish. I have 5 adults in a planted tank and as the largest fish there they are fine, They 'apparently prefer subdued lighting - difficult in a planted tank. As soon as they see me move so do they and will hide wherever, I've even caught on digging under my internal filter and another hiding under my bogwood (1"high) They are generally a peaceful fish but very easily spooked. Get some by all means cos they are wonderful fish but I don't think they'd make good 'dithers'
 
i have some red hooks in with my festae, carpinte and Midas, as well has some more red hooks in with a buttikoferi.
 
What are "red hooks"? Are they the SD's with red fins?

I ended up getting 4x2" Silver Dollars (with red fins) today and they seem to be doing OK considering. They haven't gotten bitten or anything yet, but my cichlids are definately establishing dominance over them. My Blackbelt is all over them so often he looks like part of their shoal:D The great thing is that they pretty much stick close together and the cichlids can't pick on any single victem, as they get confused by their mixing.

Hey guys, anyone who prays, please do so, since I had to add them without quarantine:( I'm so embarrassed for saying that:o
Anyways, I turned up the temp to about 81 and I added some salt last week and their should still be a bit in the tank even though I did a water change (about 30% today). I don't condone my method by any means, but I just moved my tank to a new location, changed out my gravel with sand, and added several large rocks to the tank. I wanted to add the fish before my cichlids were too comfortable in their new environment. Anyways, just pray for them please!

I'll let you all know how things turn out.
 
What are "red hooks"? Are they the SD's with red fins?
Click to expand...
Yes, their fin is (strangely enough) red and hook shaped. I have 5 Silver Dollars (4 girls and a boy) the male has a red flash on his anal fin and it is more pointy than the female but not hook shaped. If all the fins are the same shape and the red is in the same place on all of them I would suggest you have either 4 girls or 4 boys.

I take it these went in your 55g? I didnt see any plants in the spec. These fish are herbivours and whilst mine eat just about everything that goes in the tank the plants are realy there for them (as a big salad bar)

Try them with blanched romain lettuce, courgette, cucumber and shelled peas.

I wrote a little about mine here
 
Thanks again for the info. I just tried adding squash to the tank tonight. My Blackbelt has already taken advantage of that and hasn't really let them near it. We'll see what happens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom