A wild-caught adult, and juvenile red-bellied piranhas.
Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics
Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Red-Bellied Piranha, Red Piranha, Natterer's Piranha |
| Scientific name: | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Synonyms: | Serrasalmus nattereri (not valid) |
| Size: | Up to 12" (30cm) |
| Origin: | South America - large areas of the Amazon and its major tributaries. |
| Tank setup: | A large tank with bogwood, and a few robust or plastic plants for decor.
A shoal of adults will require a tank of 100 gallons (450 litres) plus. Heavy-duty filtration is essential. |
| Compatibility: | A highly predatory carnivore, best kept in a shoal in a species tank. |
| Temperature: | 24-27oC (75-81oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Fairly soft, acidic water (pH 5.8-6.8) prefered, but not essential, as harder and more alkaline water is well tolerated. |
| Feeding: | Carnivore: Live or dead meaty foods. There is no particular need to feed live fish, as they can easily be weaned onto
thawed mussel, prawn, etc - some even take pellets which can help to provide a varied diet. The use of "feeder fish" carries a strong risk
of introducing disease. |
| Sexing: | No clear sexual differences. Breeding females may appear more robust in shape. |
| Breeding: | Eggs are laid among plants or in a pit in the substrate and defended by the parents.
Hatching takes around 2-3 days. |
| Comments: |
This fish is infamous as a highly dangerous carnivore. Although its reputation is somewhat exaggerated, it
is wise to take precautions when carrying out tank maintenance. The fish may actually appear rather timid if kept
in a brightly lit aquarium with little cover.
This species may be confused with P. cariba, which occurs in the Orinoco river, rather than the Amazon.
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