Pygocentrus nattereri
From The Aquarium Wiki
| Red Bellied Piranha | |
| |
| Red Bellied Piranha | |
| Species | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Min. Tank Size | 378.541 liters 378,541.178 mL 100 US Gallons (378.5L) |
| Size | 40.64 cm
12-16 " (30.5-40.6cm) |
| pH | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| Temp. | 295.15 K 71.6 °F 531.27 °R 303.15 K |
| Water Hardness |
8-12 |
| Stocking Ratio | 2:3 M:F |
| Availability | Common |
| Diet |
Carnivore
|
| Life Span |
5-10 years |
Contents |
[edit] Alternative names
- Red Bellied Piranha, Redbelly, Red Breasted Piranha, Red Piranha, Common Piranha, Gold Dust Piranha, Yellow King Emperor Piranha, Ternetzi Piranha
[edit] Other Scientific Names
- Serrasalmus nattereri
[edit] Sexing
- It is difficult to sex this fish, females may appear more robust than males however.
[edit] Tank compatibility
- This fish needs company of its own kind and should be kept in a shoal. However, they will not tolerate other tankmates and should be kept in a species tank.
[edit] Diet
- Will take most meaty foods including shrimp, fish such as silversides or other fish fillets (Feeder Fish are NOT recommended), mussels, squid, meal worms and insects, as well as pellets and flake.
[edit] Feeding regime
- Feed once or twice a day.
[edit] Environment Specifics
- Likes a large and spacious tank with plenty of open swimming space. Hiding places provided with tall plants would be appreciated. They do not like bright lights so a dim, large and well filtered tank is perfect.
[edit] Behaviour
- Not a hugely active fish and will often be found hanging in the mid-section of the water. Appreciates company of its own kind and will shoal with other Red Bellies. Are known for their legendary "feeding frenzies" and its bite can inflict serious wounds.
[edit] Identification
- The Red Bellied Piranha gets its common name from the rich red colour found on the belly of this fish stretching from the jaw, through the pectoral fins, to the anal fin. The top half of the fish is a deep silver-brown with iridescence.
[edit] Pictures
 Red Bellied Piranhas |
 Red Bellied Piranha |
 Red Bellied Piranha |
[edit] Videos
Piranha feeding time at London Zoo
[edit] External links
Facts about Pygocentrus nattereri
| Availability | Common |
| Common name | Red Bellied Piranha , Redbelly, Red Breasted Piranha, Red Piranha, Common Piranha, Gold Dust Piranha, Yellow King Emperor Piranha, and Ternetzi Piranha |
| Diet | Carnivore + |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Family | Characidae + |
| Foods | Pellet Food +, Flake Food +, Live Food +, and Other Foods + |
| Maximum Size | 16 in (40.64 cm) + |
| Maximum age | 10 + |
| Maximum hardness | 12 + |
| Maximum pH | 7.5 + |
| Maximum temperature | 303.15 K (30 °C, 86 °F, 545.67 °R) + |
| Minimum Tank Size | 100 US Gallon (378.541 liters, 378,541.178 mL) + |
| Minimum hardness | 8 + |
| Minimum pH | 5.5 + |
| Minimum temperature | 295.15 K (22 °C, 71.6 °F, 531.27 °R) + |
| Scientific name | Pygocentrus nattereri, and Serrasalmus nattereri |
