Red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) fish species and information / pictures of Red piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) fish species information

Scientific Name
Pygocentrus nattereri

Common Name
Red piranha

Biology
Common in creeks and interconnected ponds in Matto Grosso, Brazil, where it influences distribution and feeding of other fish (Ref. 9080) and in areas of high primary production in Rio Machado and Rio Negro (Ref.9096). Adults feed mainly at dusk and dawn. Feeds on insects, worms and fish (Ref. 7020). Medium-sized to large individuals (15-24 cm length) forage mainly at dawn, late afternoon and night up to about 2200H, whereas smaller fish (8-11 cm) are active mainly during the day (Ref. 9080). Teeth replacement on alternating sides of jaw allows continuous feeding. Its powerful dentition can inflict serious bites. Has a highly evolved auditory capacity and a 'lurking', then 'dashing' behavior during daytime. Shows hierarchies within small schools (Ref. 9077). Available information on body composition of 'piranha caju' flesh is 8.2% fat, 15.0% protein an

Classification

Classified By

Kner, 1858

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Characins (Characiformes)

Family

Characins (Characidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Amazon River basin, Paraguay-Paran? River basin, northeastern Brazilian coastal rivers and Essequibo River basin (Ref. 39031). Reported from the Uruguay River, Brazil (Ref. 79585).

Range

9°N - 34°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

23 °C

Water Temperature To

27 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 5.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 20 pelagic

Trophic Level

3.72 s.e. 0.61 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

50.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.89; tm=1; Fec=4,000-5,000)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 4537)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated