Mylesinus

Mylesinus is a genus with 3 species in this atlas, catalogued in the Piranhas & Pacus section, recorded from Brazil, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela. Adult sizes run from 4.5 in to 14 in. Every species below links to a full researched profile.

Species in atlas
3
Adult sizes
4.5–14 in
IUCN assessed
3 of 3
Recorded from
4 countries

About the genus

Mylesinus is a genus of pacus in the piranha family Serrasalmidae, distributed across Amazon and Orinoco river systems and Guiana Shield drainages - the atlas records it from Brazil, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Atlas species range from about 4.5–14 in, and like other serrasalmids they carry a deep, laterally compressed body and a single row of sharp, mostly herbivorous teeth adapted for cropping fruit, seeds, and leaf material that falls into flooded-forest waters.

Mylesinus schomburgkii, Schomburgk's silver dollar, is the species most likely to be encountered by aquarists, occasionally offered to large-tank keepers wanting a big herbivorous pacu alongside other serrasalmids; the other two atlas species are rarely if ever seen in the trade. Care follows general large-serrasalmid practice - roomy tanks, strong filtration, and a vegetable-heavy diet, since a hungry group of pacus will strip a planted tank fast. Two of the three atlas species are Least Concern and the third has not been evaluated.

IUCN Red List: Least Concern · 2 Not Evaluated · 1

The 3 species

Every Mylesinus recorded in this atlas. Each card links to a full researched profile — distribution, water parameters, and aquarium care, cited to primary sources.

Jégu, Santos & Ferreira, 1989

14 in SL · LC

Jégu & Santos, 1988

13 in SL · LC

Valenciennes, 1850

Schomburgk's silver dollar, Black-banded silver dollar, Wide-bar silver dollar

4.5 in SL · NE

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How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Genus Mylesinus. Aquarist Atlas. https://www.aquaristatlas.com/mylesinus/

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