Piranha: Types, Pictures, & Fun Facts

Piranha: All You Need To Know

The Piranha is an omnivorous fish that belongs to the Animalia family, phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii, order Characiformes, and family Characidae. The piranha can grow up to 6 to 8 inches and weigh up to 3 to 7 pounds, with a lifespan of up to 10 years.

Piranha are freshwater fish that feed on insects, carrion, fish, crustaceans, and worms. Piranha are preyed upon by dolphins, crocodiles, birds, turtles, and humans.

Strong bony jaws with finely serrated teeth, a rounded head and a single row of triangular teeth are the most distinguishing characteristics. Physical characteristics include grey, red, black, and multi-coloured colours, with scales on the skin.

Piranha is a popular name for a kind of freshwater fish having razor-sharp teeth that might number in the hundreds. Piranhas have a bad record for being vicious predators that go on lethal eating binges.

They do, however, devour a wide range of foods, including vegetation and carrion. Piranhas are little fish that migrate in shoals and are usually under two feet long.

5 Incredible Piranha Facts!

1. Because of Theodore Roosevelt’s book “Through the Brazilian Wilderness,” this fish’s hostile reputation has been greatly exaggerated.

2. When these fish are hungry, they may become more aggressive. If they are trapped in a stagnant pool for an extended period of time, they will most likely attack anything that comes into contact with the water.

3. The biting force of a black piranha is the strongest of any bony fish.

4. The top and bottom teeth of the fish act as scissors, tearing and cutting food swiftly.

5. Piranhas, like sharks, constantly lose and regenerate teeth.

Piranha Classification and Scientific Name

Piranha is the common name for many species of fish belonging to the Serrasalmidae family or subfamily Serrasalminae, which are also members of the Characiformes order’s tetra family Characidae.

Catoprion, Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, and Serrasalmus are some of the genera that have piranha species. Caribe and piraya are two names for these fish species.

The red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), the lobetooth piranha (Pygocentrus denticulata), the San Francisco piranha (Pygocentrus piraya), and the black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) are some of the species’ scientific names.

Various Piranha Species

The precise number of species is unclear, but it is estimated to be between 30 and 60. The red-bellied piranha, which resides in South America and is mostly found in the Amazon River among numerous other piranha species, is the most well-known. The following are some interesting facts about the species:

• Red-bellied piranha: This fish, which is mostly found in the Amazon River, is the most well-known piranha species, having the strongest jaws and sharpest teeth.

• The black piranha: also known as the red-eye piranha, is the biggest species of piranha and is noted for having the hardest bite in relation to its body mass.

• Lobetooth piranha: This species, which lives mostly in the Orinoco River basin and lower Amazon tributaries, is also considered harmful to humans.

• San Francisco piranha: This species, which is mostly found in Brazil’s San Francisco River, is capable of attacking huge animals and humans, yet it prefers to prey on smaller animals.

• Wimple piranha: This fish survives by nibbling the fins and scales of other fish and then swimming away.

Piranha Appearance

The colour of these fish varies depending on the species. The red-bellied piranha, for example, is brownish with white speckles and a red belly. The black piranha has a uniform grey to nearly black coloration and bright red eyes. The rhombus form of Piranha species is distinctive.

They are usually six to thirteen inches long, although some species can grow to reach two feet long. The fish does not generally weigh more than 6.6 pounds.

They have a distinct jaw form, with powerful jaw muscles attached to the tip of the jaw, causing it to protrude significantly. This fish’s teeth are razor sharp and serrated, making it excellent at shredding flesh swiftly.

Piranha Distribution, Population, and Habitat

These species are native to the Amazon basin and are freshwater fish. Some species have been detected in Bangladesh, China, and even the United States, although these are mostly exotic fish dealers’ escapees.

Many species are restricted to a particular river system, while others, such as the red-bellied piranha, are distributed across South America. Some species like murky, slow-moving water, and are frequently found in extremely shallow water.

Other species, on the other hand, like deep river channels and muddy water. These fish are common and not endangered. The majority of the time, little fish are active throughout the day.

Larger and medium-sized fish are active at different times of the day, such as sunrise, late afternoon, and night. These fish are only caught for sport and have a small commercial fishery.

Some species are utilised as aquarium fish, yet they are prohibited as pets in many locations. Anglers consider them a nuisance since they frequently steal bait, pull fish off the line, and destroy fishing equipment.

Piranha Predators and Prey

The majority of predators are opportunistic. They will consume almost anything, including plants, other fish, insects, carrion, worms, and other animals. Some species are expert scale eaters, feeding largely on the scales and fins of other fish.

Juvenile fish and smaller species are particularly prone to this. Piranhas scavenge on a regular basis. Turtles, crocodiles, other fish, dolphins, and a variety of aquatic birds all consume these fish on a regular basis.

Humans hunt them for sustenance, and their teeth are carved by several South American cultures. Fruit, seeds, insects, and other fish are among the foods consumed by this omnivorous fish.

They may assault large animals that enter their area in a group to hunt them. A large enough group may easily dispatch a huge animal. They do not, however, frequently move in groups and prefer to attack weak or injured animals.

There is no worldwide data on how many of these fish are still alive. They are not classified as vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN, CITES, or the US Fish and Wildlife Service. New species continue to be found.

Piranha Reproduction and Lifespan

The majority of species’ breeding habits are unknown. In aquariums, the most well-known breeding behaviour has been seen. By the time they reach the age of a year, these fish are normally capable of reproducing.

Females deposit tens of thousands of eggs near dense foliage, where the eggs adhere. The eggs are fertilised by the males, and after two or three days, the eggs hatch.

Until they are large enough to defend themselves, young fish will hide among foliage. The parents would frequently swim around their nesting locations to guard them. In captivity, these fish can live up to 10 years, but it’s unclear how long they survive in the wild.

Piranha in Fishing and Cooking

There is a small commercial fishing interest in these species, as well as modest recreational fishing interest. It’s not difficult to catch them, but having a wire-wrapped line above the hook is essential.

To attract piranhas, fishermen frequently use morsels of flesh and vigorously thrash or splat the line. Before the bait can be hauled up, the piranha will frequently swipe it. The fish must be handled with extreme caution because they can bite.

On their undersides, they feature rough ridges that can tear flesh and inject germs. These fish may be eaten whole and are commonly grilled.

In their native South America, they are mostly consumed. The flavour is characterised as being very salty, fishy, and somewhat ripe.