Red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)

Scientific name: Pygocentrus nattereri Kner, 1858

Red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)

The Red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows to about 30 cm (12 in). It is difficult to keep and aggressive, is best kept in a species tank and needs water at 24–29°C (75–84°F). Native range: South America, Amazon River basin, Paraguay-Paran? River basin, northeastern Brazilian coastal rivers and Essequibo River basin.

Red piranha care at a glance

Care level
Difficult
Temperament
Aggressive
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
30 cm (12 in)
Temperature
24–29°C (75–84°F)
Hardness
5–18 dGH (89–321 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts live foods.

Biology

Common in creeks and interconnected ponds in Matto Grosso, Brazil, where it influences distribution and feeding of other fish and in areas of high primary production in Rio Machado and Rio Negro. Adults feed mainly at dusk and dawn. Feeds on insects, worms and fish. 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. 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. Available information on body composition of 'piranha caju' flesh is 8.2% fat, 15.0% protein an

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pygocentrus nattereri
Family
Characidae (Characins)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
50.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 5.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 20 pelagic
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
South America: Amazon River basin, Paraguay-Paran? River basin, northeastern Brazilian coastal rivers and Essequibo River basin. Reported from the Uruguay River, Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.89; tm=1; Fec=4,000-5,000)

More tetras & characins

See all tetras & characins

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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