Red Hook Metynnis

Metynnis, like the silver dollars it's closely related to, belongs to family Serrasalmidae, the same taxonomic family as the piranha, and carries genuinely similar-shaped teeth built for shredding rather than a piranha's flesh-tearing bite, here put entirely to work on plant matter instead. The red-orange hook-shaped fin extension that gives it the common name shows up strongest in well-conditioned adults. Peaceful, active, and a good centerpiece for a planted or unplanted community tank, though it will happily browse any live vegetation offered.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful, shoaling · Max size: ~7" · Min tank: 55 gal · Diet: Omnivore, flake/pellet + veggies