Spotted Silver Dollar (Metynnis maculatus)

What You Receive

Current sale unit

One selection adds one live, unsexed Metynnis maculatus to the basket. The approximate supplied length is 4-5 cm. There is no pair, trio or sexed option on the current product. To build the minimum group of six, choose a basket quantity of six, subject to live availability and the capacity of the intended aquarium.

Listing detail	Current meaning	What it does not mean
Quantity 1	One live fish	Not a pair or group
Approximate size	About 4-5 cm at supply	Not the adult size
Sex	Unsexed	No male or female guarantee
Gallery	Four representative illustrations	Not exact-stock photographs
Availability	Controlled by live Shopify inventory	Not guaranteed until checkout completes

Why the old "(2)" wording is not used

A historic source title included a number in brackets and older aliases referred to two fish. The current catalogue row has no pack quantity, the production product has one default option, and the present title no longer offers a pair. Clear sale-unit wording prevents a customer from mistaking an obsolete source label for a current bundle. The old name remains preserved privately for provenance; it is not repeated as a purchase promise.

Juvenile appearance and natural variation

At 4-5 cm, body depth, spot contrast, fin colour and sheen are still developing. Lighting, background, stress, feeding and age can change how reflective the flanks appear. The fish that arrives may be paler during transport and darken after settling. Natural variation is expected, so the listing does not promise a particular number of spots, exact red intensity, body depth or sex.

Species Identity: A Silver Dollar, Not a Tetra

Accepted name and family

The accepted identity used for this product is Metynnis maculatus, commonly called the Spotted Silver Dollar or spotted metynnis. The NCBI Taxonomy record places it in order Characiformes and family Serrasalmidae. That family includes silver dollars, pacus and piranhas. It is therefore a characiform fish, but the customer-facing title should not call it a tetra.

Why trade names can be confusing

Several spotted members of Metynnis appear in the aquarium trade, and retailers sometimes apply "spotted silver dollar" to M. maculatus, M. lippincottianus or even other similar fish. This listing follows the current supplier identity of M. maculatus. It does not claim a precise wild collection locality or use appearance alone to create a more specific identity than the source supports.

Scientific evidence used here

The FishBase species account reports an adult maximum of 18 cm total length, occurrence in the Amazon and Paraguay river basins, water records of 20-28 C and pH 6.0-7.2, and a diet in which fruits and plants are important. A separate US Fish and Wildlife Service species summary provides independent identity and distribution context. The aquarium recommendations below interpret those facts conservatively rather than pretending one field record is a complete care manual.

Evidence point	Published context	Aquarium consequence
Family	Serrasalmidae	Do not present it as a true tetra
Adult maximum	About 18 cm total length	Plan a large adult footprint
Distribution	Amazon and Paraguay basins	Use South American context without inventing a locality
Published temperature	20-28 C	Use a stable tropical target within that range
Published pH	6.0-7.2	Avoid alkaline extremes and sudden changes
Feeding evidence	Fruits and plants, with opportunistic animal food	Build the diet around plant-rich foods

Spotted Silver Dollar Care at a Glance

Care point	Practical recommendation
Scientific name	Metynnis maculatus
Family	Serrasalmidae
Supplied size	Approximately 4-5 cm
Adult planning size	Up to about 18 cm total length
Minimum same-species group	Six
Practical adult aquarium	360L+, at least 150 cm long; 180 cm preferred
Practical temperature target	24-28 C
pH	6.0-7.2
Hardness	Approximately 1-10 dGH
Diet	Plant-rich omnivore
Temperament	Social and generally peaceful, but large and very active
Care level	Moderate to advanced

Is This Species Right for Your Aquarium?

A good match when

This fish suits an aquarist with a long, mature aquarium, strong filtration, stable water and room for a proper group. It is an excellent choice when the aim is a large moving shoal rather than one solitary centrepiece. The keeper should be comfortable feeding substantial herbivorous fish, managing a meaningful waste load and accepting that live plants may be browsed.

Choose another species when

Do not choose it for a nano aquarium, a new cycling system, a carefully aquascaped soft-plant display or a tank containing tiny, delicate fish. It is also a poor impulse purchase when only one or two fish fit the current budget or space. The social group, adult footprint and long-term maintenance must be affordable together.

Your setup	Suitability	Reason
Mature 360L+ long aquarium	Potentially suitable	Check group number, water and tank mates
180-250L community	Not a long-term adult plan	Insufficient group swimming footprint
Nano or 100L starter tank	Unsuitable	Adult size and social needs are too large
Delicate planted aquascape	Poor match	Soft plants are likely to be sampled
Robust South American display	Potentially suitable	Match adult sizes and water carefully
Uncycled aquarium	Unsuitable	Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero

Use the adult, not the sale size, for every decision

The supplied 4-5 cm fish can make a tank look empty, which encourages overstocking. That visual gap disappears as six deep-bodied adults grow. Estimate future body mass, turning room and filtration demand before adding companion fish. The same principle applies to decor: a narrow passage that suits a juvenile may become a collision point for an adult group.

Aquarium Size, Length and Adult Footprint

Practical minimum for six adults

Use at least 360 litres with 150 cm or more aquarium length for six adults. Where the room and budget allow, a 180 cm tank gives better cruising distance, more escape space and easier separation from robust companions. Volume alone is not enough: a short, tall aquarium can hold many litres while providing poor horizontal swimming room.

Why group size changes the calculation

A single 18 cm fish is not the unit of planning. Six deep-bodied fish must turn, feed and retreat without repeatedly colliding or pinning one another against the glass. Add space for filtration equipment, hardscape and any tank mates. A group larger than six can look more natural, but it also needs a larger footprint and stronger waste management.

Planning scenario	Minimum direction	Important note
Six adults, species-led display	360L+, 150 cm length	180 cm length preferred
Eight or more adults	Increase volume and length	Base the final choice on body mass and filtration
Six adults with other large fish	Increase footprint substantially	Account for each species' social group
Temporary juvenile grow-out	Only with a prepared adult destination	Do not rely on an indefinite future upgrade

Swimming lanes and turning room

Reserve the centre and front of the aquarium as a broad, uninterrupted lane. Put tall wood and sturdy plants toward the back or ends rather than creating a maze. Round off hard edges and keep gaps wide enough for adult bodies. These fish can accelerate quickly when startled, so an attractive but congested layout can become a physical hazard.

Group Size and Social Behaviour

Keep at least six

Plan a same-species group of six or more. A proper group spreads attention, supports coordinated movement and gives a nervous individual social cues. One fish cannot display normal shoaling behaviour, and a pair can leave one individual receiving too much pursuit. A larger group may work well in a correspondingly larger aquarium.

Active does not mean aggressive

The species is generally peaceful, but "peaceful" should not be confused with slow or unobtrusive. Adults are powerful, quick feeders that can unsettle timid fish and outcompete slow species without deliberately attacking them. Compatibility depends on movement, feeding speed and body size as much as direct aggression.

Startle response

Silver dollars are alert open-water fish. Sudden movement, lights switching on in a dark room, banging doors or a hand entering from above can trigger a rapid dash. Use a secure lid, provide shaded refuge, switch room lighting on before aquarium lighting, and approach predictably. Persistent frantic movement is a prompt to check group size, cover, water quality and disturbance.

Water Parameters and Stability

Practical target range

A useful home-aquarium target is 24-28 C, pH 6.0-7.2 and approximately 1-10 dGH. The published species temperature envelope is broader at 20-28 C, but a stable tropical range is easier to match with many suitable companions. Stability, oxygen and waste control matter more than forcing the water to one perfect decimal.

Parameter	Target	Management priority
Temperature	24-28 C	Avoid sudden changes and low oxygen at the warm end
pH	6.0-7.2	Keep stable; do not chase pH with abrupt chemical corrections
General hardness	About 1-10 dGH	Match source and destination gradually
Ammonia	0	Any detectable reading requires action
Nitrite	0	Any detectable reading requires action
Nitrate	Keep low and stable	Control with stocking, feeding and water changes

Test the actual tap-water plan

Before ordering, test the aquarium and source water rather than assuming local water is suitable. The water matcher can help compare a planned range with your measured conditions. If the aquarium sits outside the recommended chemistry, choose a fish suited to the existing stable water or design a reliable remineralised-water method before livestock arrives.

Water changes

Use regular partial water changes sized to the real nitrate trend and stocking level. Match temperature closely and avoid sudden shifts in hardness or pH. Six growing herbivorous fish produce a substantial load, especially when vegetables are offered. Remove uneaten fresh food before it breaks down and adjust the schedule from test results, not a generic calendar alone.

Filtration, Oxygen and Waste Control

Strong biological capacity

Choose filtration for adult biomass, not the initial juveniles. The system needs mature biological media, reliable circulation and easy mechanical cleaning. A large external filter or appropriately designed sump is often practical, but filter type matters less than real flow, oxygen transfer, maintenance access and enough established media.

Protect fish from intakes and harsh jets

Spread return flow across the aquarium so there are oxygenated swimming areas without forcing the group to fight one narrow jet. Guard intakes where a small juvenile could be trapped. Keep cables and rigid pipework secure because a startled group can strike loose equipment. After maintenance, confirm every valve, lid and intake cover is back in place.

Observe oxygen at the warm end

Warm water carries less dissolved oxygen. Surface agitation, clean filter media and sensible stocking are especially important near 28 C. Rapid gill movement, prolonged gathering at the surface or a sudden loss of appetite requires immediate checks of temperature, oxygenation, ammonia, nitrite and equipment operation.

A Practical Maintenance Routine

Daily: observe before intervening

Count the fish, confirm the filter return is moving normally, compare breathing across the group and look for food left from the previous meal. Check the cover whenever it has been moved. A quick daily look is more valuable than repeatedly handling fish or changing settings. Record anything unusual so a gradual trend is not dismissed as a one-day impression.

Weekly: let measurements set the workload

Test nitrate and any parameter that has been unstable, inspect the pre-filter or mechanical stage, clean the viewing panes and remove trapped vegetable fragments. Make a partial water change appropriate to the measured waste trend. Vacuum accessible debris without turning every maintenance session into a complete habitat disruption. Match replacement-water temperature and chemistry closely.

Monthly: review the adult system, not only cleanliness

Inspect hoses, seals, intake guards, heater operation, lid gaps and hardscape stability. Compare fish body condition and estimate whether swimming room remains appropriate as the group grows. Rinse biological media only when necessary and use removed aquarium water or another method that avoids chlorine exposure. Never replace all mature media at once merely because it looks stained.

Interval	Core checks	Purpose
Daily	Fish count, breathing, appetite, flow, cover	Detect change early
Weekly	Water tests, partial change, waste removal	Control dissolved and physical waste
Monthly	Equipment, seals, media, hardscape, growth	Prevent mechanical and space problems
After any fault	Re-test water and watch the complete group	Confirm recovery instead of assuming it

Aquascaping a Safe Adult Habitat

Zone	Design purpose	Avoid
Front and centre	Wide open swimming lane	Sharp rock piles and narrow gaps
Back and ends	Wood, shade and visual refuge	Unstable hardscape
Surface	Good gas exchange and secure cover	Fully sealed stagnant air or open escape gaps
Substrate	Easy cleaning and visual contrast	Traps where vegetable matter decays
Feeding area	Several accessible food stations	One cramped corner dominated by the fastest fish

Use shade without sacrificing swimming space

Dark backing, floating cover at the margins and tall decor near the ends can make the group feel secure. Keep the central lane open. Tannin-stained water is optional, not compulsory; if botanicals are used, introduce them gradually and monitor pH. Secure every piece of wood so a collision cannot shift it.

Choose a secure lid

A close-fitting cover is essential. Check gaps around hoses, cables and automatic feeders. A cover should prevent escape while allowing ventilation and normal gas exchange. Condensation trays and lid panels need routine inspection because warping can create an opening that was not present when the aquarium was first assembled.

Lighting

Moderate lighting with dimmer margins usually shows the metallic body well without leaving the fish exposed. Use a gradual ramp where the light supports it, or switch room lights on first. Very bright illumination over a bare tank can amplify nervous behaviour. Appearance should follow welfare: a slightly shaded fish displaying calmly is better than a brilliantly lit group that spends the day fleeing.

Plants and the Reality of Browsing

Not reliably plant-safe

Plant material is a natural part of the diet, so soft leaves and new shoots may be bitten. Feeding vegetables does not guarantee that aquarium plants will be ignored. A customer building a carefully manicured stem-plant aquascape should choose a different fish or accept ongoing damage as part of this species' behaviour.

More durable planting choices

Tough, bitter or thick-leaved plants attached to wood or rock may last better than delicate stems, but no plant should be sold as bite-proof. Artificial plants, smooth branches and leaf litter can provide structure without requiring a living plant collection. Any artificial material must be aquarium-safe and free from sharp moulding seams.

Feed plants, do not starve the fish to protect them

Reducing food in the hope of saving leaves is poor husbandry. Offer a nutritionally complete plant-rich diet and treat any surviving plants as a bonus. If browsing becomes destructive, redesign the display rather than withholding food. Remove large torn leaves before they decay and block filter intakes.

Feeding a Plant-Rich Omnivore

Build the staple around plant material

Use a good-quality complete flake, granule or pellet with a meaningful plant component as the regular staple. Supplement with algae- or spirulina-based foods and suitable vegetables. Animal protein can be offered in modest variety, but a high-meat-only diet does not reflect the available feeding evidence for this species.

Food role	Examples	How to use it
Complete staple	Plant-rich flake, granule or pellet	Most routine meals
Vegetable variety	Blanched courgette, spinach or shelled pea pieces	Small portions; remove leftovers
Algal component	Spirulina or algae-based prepared food	Rotate with the complete staple
Animal supplement	Appropriate frozen or live invertebrate foods	Modest portions, not the entire diet
Foods to avoid	Unbalanced mammalian meat or excessive treats	Do not use as routine nutrition

Feed the whole group, not only the boldest fish

Distribute food across more than one area so a dominant or confident individual cannot take everything. Watch each body profile over time. A fish that remains thin while the others grow may be excluded, unwell or carrying an internal problem. More food is not automatically the answer; first confirm access, social pressure and water quality.

Prevent vegetable waste

Offer a measured portion and remove uneaten fresh food after the fish have had a reasonable feeding window. Soft vegetables can disappear into decor and degrade water quickly. A feeding clip or smooth removable dish makes recovery easier. Record what the group actually consumes and reduce the next portion rather than leaving excess overnight.

Condition without overfeeding

A rounded, deep body is normal for silver dollars, but constant abdominal swelling, stringy waste or a sudden appetite change is not. Use varied complete nutrition and consistent portions. Avoid using colour-enhancing foods as a substitute for balanced feeding, and do not chase faster growth by pushing more food through an immature filter.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

Choose by adult size and activity

Potential companions should be robust, peaceful, too large to be treated as food, and comfortable in the same water. They also need enough feeding confidence to live with a fast shoal. A familiar species name is not enough: compare adult length, temperament, temperature, chemistry, social group and use of swimming space.

Companion type	Guidance	Main question
Similar robust characiform fish	Often possible in a larger aquarium	Are both full social groups accommodated?
Peaceful medium catfish	Often possible with floor space	Can every fish feed without conflict?
Calm South American cichlids	Case-by-case caution	Will breeding territory create aggression?
Tiny tetras, fry or dwarf shrimp	Avoid	Could they be swallowed or persistently stressed?
Long-finned slow fish	Usually a poor match	Will they be outcompeted or unsettled?
Large predators or aggressive cichlids	Avoid	Is injury or chronic fear likely?

The retail category is not a compatibility guarantee

You can browse the wider Metynnis category or the site's broader tetras and characins range, but shared navigation does not mean every listed fish should live together. The store taxonomy helps discovery; the scientific family, adult needs and individual aquarium decide compatibility.

Schooling-fish planning

The schooling fish collection can help compare alternatives, particularly when this species is too large for the available tank. Choose one appropriately sized full group before collecting small numbers from many shoaling species. A coherent shoal usually uses space more naturally than several incomplete groups.

Observe introductions

After quarantine, introduce fish with lights reduced and the layout settled. Watch feeding access, repeated chasing and refuge use over several days. Compatibility can change with growth or maturity. Have a safe separation plan before combining large fish; waiting for an injury before finding spare equipment is not a plan.

Arrival, Acclimation and Quarantine

Prepare before delivery day

The aquarium should be cycled, heated, covered and stable before dispatch. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temperature, pH and hardness. Have a clean net, bucket used only for aquariums, timer and quarantine tank ready. Do not order fish to "start" a biological cycle.

Before arrival	Pass condition
Ammonia and nitrite	Both 0
Temperature	Stable within the planned range
pH and hardness	Measured and suitable
Filter	Mature, flowing and recently checked
Cover	All cable and hose gaps secured
Group capacity	Adult plan supports at least six
Quarantine	Heated, filtered and ready

Use the condition of the bag water

Follow the arrival instructions supplied with the order and use the acclimation timer as a structured aid. Acclimation should not become an unnecessarily long exposure to opened shipping water. Temperature and chemistry differences, transit duration and the supplied instructions all matter. Never pour transport water into the display aquarium.

Quarantine protects both directions

A separate observation period allows the new group to settle and feed without established fish dominating them. It also protects the display from introducing a problem and protects the newcomers from pathogens already present in the display. Use dedicated equipment where possible. Medication should respond to a diagnosis or clear clinical reason, not be mixed automatically "just in case".

First feeding

Allow the fish to settle in dim conditions and offer a small, familiar-style meal when behaviour is calm. Remove leftovers. A brief delay in feeding after transport can occur, but repeated refusal, loss of balance, severe respiratory effort or progressive colour loss deserves prompt water checks and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice.

Daily Observation and Health Signals

Use a repeatable daily check

Observe the group before feeding so appetite does not hide other behaviour. Count all fish, compare breathing, look for one individual separated from the shoal, and inspect fins and body surfaces. Then watch food access. A simple repeatable routine detects change more reliably than occasional close inspection after a problem becomes obvious.

Investigate the environment first

When several fish show distress at once, immediately check oxygenation, temperature, ammonia, nitrite, recent maintenance and equipment. Shared sudden symptoms often point to a shared environmental cause. Do not raise temperature or add mixed medication blindly; both actions can increase oxygen stress and complicate diagnosis.

Signs that need attention

• Persistent rapid breathing, surface crowding or clamped fins
• Loss of balance, repeated collisions or inability to remain with the group
• White spots, ulcers, raised scales, cloudy eyes or progressive fin damage
• One fish becoming thin despite apparently normal feeding
• Repeated refusal of food across several meals
• Sudden group-wide colour or behaviour change after maintenance

Growth, Adult Form and Long-Term Planning

Growth rate is not a fixed promise

Temperature, diet, water quality, sex, genetics and stocking all influence growth. The supplied 4-5 cm length does not predict a date at which the fish will reach adult size. Measure progress occasionally without chasing the fish for frequent handling. Aquarium and filtration upgrades must happen before crowding appears, not after.

Body depth changes the real footprint

Length alone understates the presence of an adult silver dollar. The body becomes tall and laterally compressed, increasing turning-space and visual-mass requirements. Six adults occupy far more water and present more surface area to flow than six slender fish of the same length. This is one reason a long 360-litre aquarium is the starting adult recommendation.

Plan for years, not a seasonal display

Do not purchase the group on the assumption that a future owner, larger tank or shop return will solve growth. Secure housing, energy use, filter maintenance, food and water-change capacity are part of the purchase decision. A responsible plan remains workable when every fish reaches adult size.

Sexing and Breeding Context

This listing is unsexed

No male or female selection is offered. Sex differences can be subtle, especially in juveniles, and an approximate 4-5 cm fish should not be sold with a confident sex guarantee. A group may eventually show differences in body fullness or fin shape, but appearance is not reliable enough here to promise a particular ratio.

Breeding is not a reason to under-size the aquarium

The species has documented reproductive biology, but successful spawning is not guaranteed in a home aquarium. Reproduction adds demands for condition, water control, egg protection, first foods and grow-out space. A general display should be designed for healthy adults first. Do not crowd juveniles in the hope that a pair will form and the rest can be moved later.

Avoid unsupported breeding recipes

Online care pages often repeat exact temperatures, egg counts or "easy breeder" claims without explaining source populations or methods. This listing does not convert a field study into a universal home-spawning recipe. Aquarists pursuing breeding should consult primary literature, record their own water and prepare separate rearing capacity.

How It Differs from Small Community Tetras

Feature	Spotted Silver Dollar	Typical small tetra
Family	Serrasalmidae	Usually Characidae or a related small-characin family
Adult planning length	Up to about 18 cm	Often far smaller, species dependent
Adult body mass	Deep and substantial	Usually slender or compact
Aquarium plan	360L+ and long for a group	Varies; many suit smaller mature tanks
Plant safety	Soft plants may be eaten	Many species leave plants largely alone
Feeding	Plant-rich omnivorous plan	Often more invertebrate-focused, species dependent
Companions	Robust medium to large peaceful fish	Often small community species

Why the distinction matters for search and care

Calling this fish a tetra may attract a shopper looking for a small community species and hide the adult space requirement. Accurate naming improves both care and search intent. The phrase "silver dollar" is not just decorative marketing; it signals a large, deep-bodied group fish with different feeding and aquascaping consequences.

Understanding the Product Gallery

Representative illustrations

All four gallery images are representative illustrations created to show the labelled species in aquarium context. They are not photographs of the exact fish held for this order. The images should help with general body shape and visual planning, but they cannot guarantee spot placement, colour intensity, sex, age or the final adult appearance of an individual.

Why one image includes plants

A planted background shows scale and contrast; it is not a claim that the fish will leave those plants untouched. Read the plant section before designing the aquarium. The same distinction applies to group scenes: an illustration of two fish demonstrates form and context, while the husbandry recommendation remains a group of at least six.

What to use for a purchase decision

Base the decision on the stated identity, approximate supplied size, adult maximum, social group, water, diet and aquarium footprint. Do not buy only because one rendered fish matches a desired colour. Live animals vary naturally and may change appearance as they mature and settle.

Ordering, Delivery and First-Order Offer

Check the whole group before checkout

Confirm that current stock supports the number required and that the adult aquarium can support the complete group. The product price and compare-at price shown by Shopify are the current commercial truth; this description does not hardcode a price that could become stale. Quantity, delivery eligibility and any discount are confirmed during checkout.

Live Arrival Guarantee

Eligible livestock orders are covered by the Tropical Fish Co Live Arrival Guarantee when the published conditions are followed. Review the current delivery information and guarantee steps before choosing a date. Someone should be available to receive the parcel, inspect it promptly and follow the evidence/contact window stated in the policy.

WELCOME10

Eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off under the current offer terms. The code is entered at checkout. Product eligibility, minimums, exclusions and compatibility with other promotions are determined by the live checkout rules, so the final order summary is authoritative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many fish are included?

One live, unsexed fish is included. The approximate supplied size is 4-5 cm. Set the basket quantity for the number required; the recommended minimum same-species group is six.

Does the old "(2)" name mean I receive two?

No. That number came from a historic source title. The current catalogue has no pack quantity and the product has one default option, so quantity one means one fish.

Is Metynnis maculatus a tetra?

No. It belongs to Serrasalmidae, the family that includes silver dollars, pacus and piranhas. It is in the same broad order, Characiformes, as many tetras, which is why older retail taxonomies sometimes group them together.

How large does it grow?

Plan for a maximum around 18 cm total length. Its deep adult body means it needs more turning room and produces more waste than a slender fish of similar length.

What is the minimum aquarium size?

For six adults, use at least 360 litres and 150 cm length. A 180 cm aquarium is preferable where space allows. Increase the footprint for a larger group or substantial companions.

Can I keep one fish?

A solitary fish is not recommended. Keep at least six of the same species so they can shoal and distribute social attention normally.

Will they eat aquarium plants?

They may eat soft leaves and new growth because plant material is a normal part of their diet. Tough plants may fare better, but no live plant should be promised as bite-proof.

What should I feed?

Use a complete plant-rich staple, algae- or spirulina-based foods and varied suitable vegetables, with modest frozen or live animal foods for variety. Remove uneaten fresh food before it decays.

What water parameters are suitable?

A practical target is 24-28 C, pH 6.0-7.2 and approximately 1-10 dGH, with zero ammonia and nitrite. Stable chemistry and strong oxygenation matter more than chasing one exact number.

Can they live with small tetras or shrimp?

Tiny fish, fry and small shrimp are risky because an adult may swallow them or keep them under chronic pressure. Choose robust peaceful companions too large to be treated as food and provide enough space for every full social group.

Can I choose a male or female?

No. The current product is unsexed, and juveniles at the supplied size cannot be sexed reliably enough for a guarantee.

Are the images photographs of the fish I will receive?

No. All four gallery images are representative illustrations. Exact colour, spots, body shape, sex and developmental stage vary between live individuals.