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The red-bellied piranha, also known as the red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), is a type of piranha native to South America, found in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná and Essequibo basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. [ 1 ][ 2 ] This fish is locally abundant in its freshwater habitat. [ 3 ]
50. cm inch. The red-bellied piranha, also known as the red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), is a type of piranha native to South America, found in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná and Essequibo basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. This fish is locally abundant in its freshwater habitat. They are omnivorous foragers and feed ...
A red-bellied piranha calmly swishes through a river. Suddenly, it spots dinner: a shrimp swimming nearby. The fish glides closer and opens its mouth to reveal rows of razor-sharp, triangular teeth. Then it snaps up its prey in its powerful jaws and swallows the shrimp whole. Finished with its first course, the fish swims off in search of more food. ON THE HUNT Red-bellied piranhas live in ...
Oct 4, 2016 · Red-bellied piranhas are red on their undersides from chin and cheeks to belly. The head and body are various shades of gray; their sides are flecked with bright silver scales. The piranha's distinctly rounded and snub-nosed profile serves a function. Beneath the high forehead are powerful muscles that attach to a short, stout lower jaw fitted ...
- General Description
- Current Distribution
- Habitat Preference
- Pathways
- Impacts
- Actions Taken If Found
Piranhas are freshwater, tropical fishes belonging to the family Characidae, which also includes pacus and tetras. Piranhas have deep, laterally compressed bodies. They vary in color by location, population, and age, but many are silvery-gray or golden and some have bright colors such as red or orange on their head, belly, or fins. Piranhas have sh...
Piranhas are not currently found in California or elsewhere in the United States. One piranha was captured in a pond in Riverside County, California in 1987; the pond was subsequently drained and no additional piranhas were found. Two piranhas were reported and one collected in a park pond in Santa Barbara County, California in 1989, however expert...
Piranhas are native to the central and southern river systems of South America, where they inhabit tropical rivers and streams and are often found in murky water. When collected in the United States they have been found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and borrow pits. Piranhas can survive in water temperatures as low as 50°F, and likely establish in water...
Piranhas are popular aquarium fish; the most common species in the pet trade is the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri). Release by aquarium owners is the most likely pathway for the introduction of pet piranhas into the wild. All species of piranha are on California’s list of restricted animals and cannot be imported, transported, or posse...
Piranhas are aggressive predators that lurk in vegetation and ambush and chase prey. Their diet consists mostly of insects, mollusks, crustaceans, worms, small fish, and some plant matter, but they often feed in large groups to kill larger prey like capybaras. Piranhas have few predators in the wild except man. If introduced outside of their native...
If this species is found in California, do not release it. Preserve (freeze) the specimen and immediately contact the CDFW Invasive Species Program, or email us at Invasives@wildlife.ca.gov, or (866) 440-9530.
Identification: Some United States specimens misidentified as members of this species may actually have been closely related species, the Orinoco piranha (Pygocentrus notatus). Pacus ( Colossoma and Piaractus ) also have been misidentified frequently as piranhas but may be distinguished by the shape of the teeth (sharp, incisor-like in piranhas vs. molariform in pacus).
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Mar 7, 2024 · Description. The Red-bellied Piranha can get up to 13 inches (33 cm) in length in the wild, though in captivity they are generally smaller. A lifespan of 10 years is normal, but a few have lived for over 20 years. These fish have powerful bodies that are high, thick, and laterally compressed.
