We have all seen the stereotyped piranhas on Looney Tunes and other cartoons – the tiny fish with teeth at least four times the size of their body, an enormous frown on their faces, jumping out of the water to chomp at anything that moves! Fortunately the truth is not so impressive. While piranhas certainly are aggressive meat eaters, and have been known to go into feeding frenzies when in a shoal, individual fish and small groups are as rewarding as any other species to keep at home.
Piranhas are native to South American and Venezuelan rivers, where their native name is caribes. While the best known species of piranhas are carnivores, there are also many omnivorous and herbivorous species. South American natives catch piranhas and use their teeth to make knives and tools. Natives of the areas where piranhas are found will also swim in the water with piranhas frequently, and no deaths have ever been recorded. The occasional investigative bite certainly has, though!
Keep reading for the most comprehensive information on the ‘net’ about piranha fish; where they like to live, what their feeding habits are really like, and their personality as tropical aquarium fish.
Habitat
In the wild, piranhas are found in South America and Venezuelan rivers, where the water is fresh and flowing (although not necessarily fast-flowing), and the climate is warm. In the wild, piranha fish are predators, and as such an important component of their environment. Because they eat dead flesh as well as live animals, they help keep environments clean and functioning well. They are not apex predators within the water environment, however – water snakes, otters, cormorants and turtles all eat piranhas that are small enough for them to catch.
In captivity, piranhas are no more difficult to keep than any other tropical aquarium fish. The conditions they can thrive best in are:
Fresh water
Temperature 24-28 degrees Celsius
Soft water
pH 5.8 to 6.8
They need plants to lay their eggs among, if you plan to breed them
An aquarium 200L and upwards is needed to keep the smaller red-bellied piranhas. Black piranhas require at least a 400L aquarium. If you keep them in an aquarium they feel is too small, they will eat extra members to reduce the population to comfortable levels.
Excellent filtration. Being carnivores or omnivores, their excrement can be toxic.
Piranhas are a social fish – they will languish if you keep them in an aquarium by themselves
Piranha keeping may not be legal for you! Have have look at the Buy Piranha section for more information.
Also, see Types of Piranhas for more information about the different breeds of piranhas.
Piranha Fish
We have all seen the stereotyped piranhas on Looney Tunes and other cartoons – the tiny fish with teeth at least four times the size of their body, an enormous frown on their faces, jumping out of the water to chomp at anything that moves! Fortunately the truth is not so impressive. While piranhas certainly are aggressive meat eaters, and have been known to go into feeding frenzies when in a shoal, individual fish and small groups are as rewarding as any other species to keep at home.
Piranhas are native to South American and Venezuelan rivers, where their native name is caribes. While the best known species of piranhas are carnivores, there are also many omnivorous and herbivorous species. South American natives catch piranhas and use their teeth to make knives and tools. Natives of the areas where piranhas are found will also swim in the water with piranhas frequently, and no deaths have ever been recorded. The occasional investigative bite certainly has, though!
Keep reading for the most comprehensive information on the ‘net’ about piranha fish; where they like to live, what their feeding habits are really like, and their personality as tropical aquarium fish.
Habitat
In the wild, piranhas are found in South America and Venezuelan rivers, where the water is fresh and flowing (although not necessarily fast-flowing), and the climate is warm. In the wild, piranha fish are predators, and as such an important component of their environment. Because they eat dead flesh as well as live animals, they help keep environments clean and functioning well. They are not apex predators within the water environment, however – water snakes, otters, cormorants and turtles all eat piranhas that are small enough for them to catch.
In captivity, piranhas are no more difficult to keep than any other tropical aquarium fish. The conditions they can thrive best in are:
Piranha keeping may not be legal for you! Have have look at the Buy Piranha section for more information.
Also, see Types of Piranhas for more information about the different breeds of piranhas.