All fish / Serrasalmidae

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Also known as red belly piranha, red-bellied piranha, natterer's piranha, red piranha, rbp, piranha, redbelly piranha, ปลาปิรันย่าท้องแดง, ปิรันย่า, ikan piranha, ピラニア・ナッテリー, ナッテリー

A deep-bodied, silvery fish with glittering spots and a bright red throat and belly, with a powerful jaw full of razor-sharp teeth. It is kept for its striking looks and fearsome reputation, although in the aquarium it is often quite nervous and spends much of its time hanging in loose groups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more in a large tank, or a single fish

Diet

Carnivore: fish fillet, prawns, mussels, earthworms and quality carnivore pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

South America: Amazon, Paraná-Paraguay and Essequibo basins, and coastal rivers of north-east Brazil

Breeding

Pairs clear a hollow among plants or gravel and lay several thousand eggs, which the male guards fiercely until the fry swim free. It has bred fairly often in large, well-kept aquariums, but the parents become very defensive.

Good to know

Needs a big tank with strong filtration, and bites can be serious, so take care during maintenance. It is illegal to keep or import in several US states and some other countries, so check local laws before buying.