Red belly piranha

Scientific Name: Pygocentrus nattereri

Common Names: Red Belly Piranha, Red Piranha, Red Bellied Piranha

Family: Serrasalmidae

Species type: Characin

Maximum size: About 12”

Life Span: 10 years.

Originates from: The Parana River system of South America.

Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons

Water Region: All over

Temperature Range: 75° F-80° F

PH Range: 6 - 7.5

Diet: Carnivorous. Piranhas are carnivorous and many piranha will accept nothing less than live foods such as earthworms or fish. Raw foods such as chopped beef heart and fresh beef may also be accepted. Do not trust your piranha with your hand in the tank, especially during feeding times!

Temperament: This is a very aggressive and a very dangerous fish! You will need a large tank for them and they will eat tankmates!

Tank Mates: Other piranha. Piranha are shoaling fish and should be kept in groups of no less than 5.

Description: Red-belly Piranhas are large, meat-eating characins. They have a reputation for attacking in large shoals and stripping flesh from any animal that may wander into the rivers where they live. Thorough research is recommended and a prior knowledge base of the temperemant and care of this species is gained prior to committing to keeping this fish or any other pirahna species. In my studies I have found that many of the piranha that are bought, are bought by people looking for a cheep thrill. In warmer states it may be illegal to keep a piranha because of the number that get released into local water systems and threaten native wildlife. Consult the local department of natural resources or game and fish agency prior to purchasing.

Piranhas are deep-bodied fish that vary in color, both with age and ambient conditions. Juveniles are blue-grey along the back with faint olive green flanks and numerous silver-metallic spots that give the body a nice appearance. As the fish matures the body tends to fade in color.

Sexing: It is difficult to determine the sex of the red belly piranha but I’ve read several articles where the female may be larger and have more yellow than their male counterparts.

Breeding: The breeding behaviors of the red belly piranha are unknown. Has not been successful in an aquarium.


Reference: http://www.cogsci.indiana.edu/farg/harry/bio/zoo/natterer.htm