Red-Bellied Piranha

Common name(s) Red-Bellied Piranha, Red Piranha, Natterer's Piranha Picture of Red-Bellied Piranha
Picture of young Red-Bellied Piranha
Shoal of young Piranha
Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics
© Sean Evans

Scientific name Pygocentrus nattereri

Synonyms Serrasalmus nattereri (not valid)

Size 12" (30cm)

Origin 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 plus. Heavy-duty filtration is essential.

Compatibility A highly predatory carnivore, keep in a shoal in a species tank.

Temperature 24-27^oC (75-81^oF)

Water chemistry Fairly soft, acidic water (pH 5.8-6.8) prefered, but not essential.

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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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name(s)	Red-Bellied Piranha, Red Piranha, Natterer's Piranha	Shoal of young Piranha Photos taken at Wharf Aquatics `© Sean Evans`
Scientific name	Pygocentrus nattereri
Synonyms	Serrasalmus nattereri (not valid)
Size	12" (30cm)
Origin	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 plus. Heavy-duty filtration is essential.
Compatibility	A highly predatory carnivore, keep in a shoal in a species tank.
Temperature	24-27^oC (75-81^oF)
Water chemistry	Fairly soft, acidic water (pH 5.8-6.8) prefered, but not essential.
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.