what do you know about piranhas?

Question

i need help on a project and i was woundering what do you know about them and can you help me

Answer 1

Pygocentrus nattereri



Overview

This and other species of the genus Serrasalmus known as Piranhas are aggressive predators with extremely powerful teeth, although rare they have been shown to attack and overpower humans. Piranhas in nature act as the sanitary police as they attack and consume any weak or sick animal. Their aggressive instincts are stimulated by blood or open wounds and the accounts of animals being reduced to bones are basically true.

Scientific Name: Serrasalmus nattereri
Family: Serrasalmidae
Origin: Gyuana
Adult Size: 11 inches (28 cm)
Social: Aggressive, keep alone or in schools
Lifespan: 10 years
Tank Level: Mid dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon
Diet: Carnivore, prefers live foods
Breeding: Egglayer
Care: Difficult
pH: 5.5 - 7.5
Hardness: up to 20 dGH
Temperature: 73-81 F (23-27 C)

Classification

Order: Cypriniformes
Suborder: Characoidei
Family: Serrasalmidae
Genera: Pygocentrus


Common name

Red-Bellied Piranha



Image gallery:

Additional species photographs

Distribution

South America, Widely distributed throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.



General Body Form

Similar to the more common Silver Dollar, but more elongated. The body height is about one half the body length. Their predatory nature is reflected by their powerful teeth and fleshy lips. The Caudal fin is distinctly forked, the Adipose fin is lobed shaped and fringed and the Ventral fin is ragged like a saw. They get quite large and can reach up to thirteen inches in length.



Coloration

The color can vary depending on location and age. The sides are pale Brown to slightly Olive. Some of the small scales can produce an intense Golden Yellow reflection. The body can have some variable dark markings across it in no particular pattern. The back is Blue- Gray to Brownish and the throat and belly areas are blood Red in healthy specimens. The Ventral, Pectoral and Anal fins are also bright Red. The Caudal and Dorsal fins are gray.



Maintenance

Although they appear quite robust, they are not an easy specimen to keep. Even in a very large aquarium an acclimated fish can suddenly become aggressive. The tails of their own species and of larger fish will be bitten off, causing possible disease threats. They can be fed worms and young specimens will take other live food as well. Their water should be soft and Acidic, with a good amount of water movement in the tank. The temperature should be in the range of 75 to 80 °F. Due to their large size and specialized requirements I do not believe that they have been bred in the home Aquaria.

Answer 2

The piranhas or pirañas are a group of carnivorous freshwater fish living in South American rivers. In Venezuelan rivers they are called caribes. They belong to five genera of the subfamily of Serrasalminae (which also includes closely related herbivorous fish including pacus and silver dollars). They are normally about 15 to 25 cm long (6 to 10 inches), although reportedly individuals have been found up to 40 cm in length. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. Locals use their teeth in tools and weapons. They are normally found only in the Amazonian, Guianas and Paraguayan river systems. However, piranha (most likely former aquarium-dwellers) are also occasionally found in the Potomac River, but they typically do not survive the cold winters of that region

Answer 3

Piranhas have an over-inflated reputation. I don't think I can top that first answer in details of piranhas (I am interested in learning where he got his statistics, though. I've never seen that many statistics in one place -- I've had to accumulate all that information from various books and websites). I have heard that if you keep them well fed, they generally let you work in their aquarium without biting fingers or anything. They cannot be put into a community aquarium for obvious reasons.

Answer 4

When I lived in the Amazon drainage basin during a two year work assignment, I ate many. To catch them in slow running water where their habitat is, use a wire leader attached to the hook. For bait we used chicken guts. They are about 6 to 8 inches long, yellow orange belly.

Answer 5

that perticullar type of fish i just saw today my cousin has three of them and they will bit you if you stick your hand it the tank. They will eat any kind of raw meat steak ect. They will also eat other living or dead fish as long as it isnt of the same species they will eat tiny goldfish and anything that is really tiny. the man eating type will literally eat your hand if you dare , well good luck

Answer 6

They are illegal to own so very few people will have first hand experience with them. Better to search the internet and DiscoveryChannel.com or National Geographic.

Answer 7

Don't feed them chocolate !

Answer 8

They are boring. They don't do anything.

Answer 9

they bite.