Silver dollar dilemma

[bbortko]

I have 3 extremely skittish silver dollars in my 240. I know it's recommended to keep at least 5 but I've kept 3 in a 55 then 125 and they were fine so I am thinking the bigger tank is less cozy and a bigger group may be needed. What's the chance that 3 more sd will make a drastic change in behavior? My 3 are generic lfs sd, should I stick with the same type or will a mixed school still be calmer? The sd don't disturb my cichlids to much, they scatter to get out of the way but they really spook my datnoids so should I just get rid of them?

 

[jwh]

IME they are skittish, and i don't believe adding to the number will bring calm, if your dats are at risk, i would get rid of them

 

[Skalper666]

I've got 3 in a 100g currently, numbers do help some but they will always be a pain to deal with at water change time lol.

 

[tlindsey]

Even different species of SD's will swim together.

 

[Kittiee Katt]

I had two silver dollars in a 5ft tank with a large cichlid, then when I lost the cichlid they moved to a 4ft tank, then back to a 5ft tank. They were skittish in the 4' when other people where around but were fine with my hubby and I because we spent time with them. Moving them to the 5' calmed them down dramatically to the point where visitors could walk past the tank.

I now have four in the 5' and the behavior of the first two didn't change upon the arrival of the second two, but the smaller two became less skittish when they came out of quarantine and in with the bigger ones.

I think it depends on the fish in question to be honest, they're all different.

If there are other fish at risk however I wouldn't add more, just in case they all end up skittish. I think your dats would be at much more risk with six dollars darting around the tank as apposed to just three.

Post Script: I'm no expert and don't claim to be, these are just assumptions I've made based on my experience, they are not to be taken as fact.

 

[celebrist]

when my six (spotteds) were in quarantine in a 4' 90 gallon they were small and majorly skittish. after moving them to the 450 (8') they mellowed and grew quickly. now they come to the front and beg constantly

 

[bbortko]

Thanks everyone, it seems that two of them are the main offenders so I'm thinking they're just wound tighter than normal. I ordered Indian almond leaves last week so I am going to see if the tannins will make a difference due to less light but I'm leaning towards removing the silver dollars versus trying to add more.

 

[bbortko]

I've been experimenting with different methods of black water for around a month now and I've noticed a substantial change in behavior with my SD. They're as active as ever but rarely spook any more.