Thin bar silver dollar losing bar

[erythrinus]

I purchased a group of 6 thin bar silver dollars that were captive bred from aquatic arts a few years back, and now they are about 5 inches and healthy. However, the black bars are fading away as they get larger. They were advertised as captive bred, so I was wondering if anyone else got some of these, and if their’s have retained their bars. also, how big do these get. Otherwise, I love these fish. They’re very active and fun to watch.
also, is 8” a max size or should I expect mine to get that big?

 

[FJB]

I have not owned thin bars, so I can't speak beyond what I see from others about their fish and what I read about them and see in the internet and books.
Thin bars grow large, but not nearly as large as wide bars, which can become true monsters. In fact, from what I see, thin bars usually also remain smaller than the largest red-hooks (M. rubripinnis).I believe 8" in length is a reasonable expectation for your fish, in a large tank, in good conditions; however, what I see is usually around the 6-7" mark.
Regarding fading bars. I have never heard of thin bars (or wide bars) to gradually loose the strength of their bars as they age, in a permanent manner. Perhaps others may chime in with their experiences. But of course it is the common experience that all silver dollars can change dramatically the intensity of their colors depending on mood (i.e., breeding coloration and hierarchical displays), health, feeding regimes, and conditions in a given tank. These color changes can be remarkably striking, even within a single day for an individual fish, etc.
My personal believe (may be wrong) is that they don't fade permanently with age.
That said, it is the truth that some species do change coloration as they age, including towards becoming dull, grayish, whereas their young had dramatically colorful looks. Some striking examples are Distichodus (sexfasciatus and lussuoso), Flagtail Prochilodus, and several of the siamese "sharks".

 

[erythrinus]

Thanks for the reply. Honestly I dont really care about the bars; I find these fish very enjoyable to watch without them.
Their diet is heavy on insects. They don’t really like pellets or flakes much, so that might be the problem. They are also perpetually harassing each other. It’s never seemed to cause harm, but maybe they’re stressed. One individual is a pariah and spends most of its time hiding from the other 5. The other 5 never hide. Though diet could be an issue, I can’t help but wonder if the change is genetic since they are all siblings. The red coloration in their anal fins is still prominent. I’ll post pics when I clean the tank (algae)..
If anyone else bought some of these captives, lemme know if yours are losing their bars.

 

[FJB]

I look forward to seeing pictures of your fish!
Perhaps sex ratio among your 6 fish implies that there are dominant and subdominant specimens? Sometimes that can be ascertained from images or videos.
Regarding feeding, my experience is that variety is the key to success. And one has to be stubborn! (the fish may pretend they don't like something, and not eat it at first. One must insist until they do). I include plenty of insects, veggies, seeds (i.e, sunflower seeds), frozen foods, nori, animal and plant-based pellets and flakes, Mine eat anything and everything I throw at them, but they have preferences, and sometimes 'pretend' they don't like something so that I give them something else. They can become very spoiled.
Look forward to seeing them. Good luck!