Red Belly Piranha
July 5, 2011
Scientific Name: Pygocentrus nattereri
Lifespan: 4 – 10+ Years
Size: 14+ inches
Tankmates? Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons
Temperature: 70-82 degrees
PH Range: 5.8 – 7.5
Temperament: Skittish
Diet: Live food, dead food, cooked food, pellets, vegetables, fruits.
The red belly piranha is one of the most common type of piranha kept in captivity. They can be found in the tropic rivers of Brazil, and the Amazon river basin. Red belly piranhas are commonly perceived as violent, bloodthirsty, aggressive fish. Quite the opposite; Red belly piranhas are skittish fish, and can be frightened very easily.
Red belly piranhas have distinctive features such as a reddish color stomach and sharp teeth, and should not be mistaken for their close counterparts – the Pacu. Because of the similarities between red bellied piranha Red belly piranhas use their teeth to rip and tear their prey apart.
Red belly piranhas can grow to over a foot in size, and can live up to 12 years. Red belly piranhas are shoaling fish, and it is advised to purchase at least 3 when keeping them in a tank.
A red belly piranha diet includes Small mammals, frogs, fish, Insects, and worms. They can be trained to eat almost anything. It is generally not advised to feed your red belly piranha live feeder fish from pet shops or stores , as sometimes they are not properly cared for and can transfer diseases to your tank.