TankBud

Disk tetra

Myloplus schomburgkii

Also known as Black-barred Myleus, Myleus schomburgkii, Black barred silver dollar, Black banded silver dollar

FreshwaterFish

Disk tetra (Myloplus schomburgkii)
Ltshears · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
15.7 in
40 cm
Minimum tank
170 gal
645 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Serrasalmidae
Origin
Venezuela, Peru, Brazil

Overview

Keep disk tetras in a group, as they school for security, and plan on a huge tank of around 645 liters given their adult size. They are peaceful, active swimmers that hold the middle and upper water. Target the mid 20s C and a soft, acidic to neutral pH. Feed a plant-heavy diet with vegetables and prepared foods, plus some protein from insects or small crustaceans.

In the wild

Disk tetras live in rivers and seasonal floodplains of the Amazon and Orinoco basins across Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil. They use clear and blackwater stretches with moderate to strong current, around submerged wood and plants. The water is soft and slightly acidic. At home this means a very large tank with steady flow, open swimming space, and robust plants or decor that can take some grazing.

Good to know

This is a member of the Serrasalmidae family, the same broad group as pacus and piranhas, though it is a plant-leaning omnivore. It is a big fish, reaching around 40 cm, with a tall disc-shaped body, silver sides, and a bold black bar. It has teeth suited to cutting plant material, and there is no real home breeding record for it.

Did you know

It eats a lot of fruit and seeds in the wild and passes many of those seeds intact, so it helps spread riverbank plants as the floodwaters move it around. That makes a big plant-eating fish part of how the forest along the river regrows.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Disk tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Disk tetra need?

A Disk tetra needs at least 170 gal (645 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Disk tetra need?

A Disk tetra is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

How big does a Disk tetra get?

An adult Disk tetra reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).

Does a Disk tetra need a group?

Yes. A Disk tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species