Ever seen piranhas? Then at first, you have to know what piranha is and why they are charming.
Well, piranhas appear as small to medium-sized fish with sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies, shiny silver scales, and prominent razor-like teeth that become evident when their mouths are open. Mainly they are charming for their unique characteristics and gleaming silver scales.
Interested in piranhas’ world? I am here to give you more interesting and unknown facts about their life which will increase your interest for sure! Let’s explore the whole dossier to know more.
Form and General Characteristics of Piranha
Well, to know about piranhas’ mysterious world, you should start with the form and general characteristics they hold.
I have added a table detailing their form as well as general characteristics. Take a look:
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pygocentrus, Serrasalmus, etc. |
| Family | Characidae |
| Species Diversity | Over 60 species |
| Weight | Less than 2 pounds, but reportedly over 7 pounds |
| Habitat | South American rivers and lakes |
| Distribution | Northern Argentina to Colombia, most diverse in the Amazon River |
| Colors | Silvery with orange undersides to almost completely black |
| Head | Large; Generally blunt with strong jaws |
| Teeth | Sharp, triangular, meeting in a scissor-like bite |
| Most Infamous Species | Red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) |
| Hunting Behavior | Hunts in groups that can number more than 100 |
| Feeding Frenzy | Can occur if a large animal is attacked, although rare |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Communication | Probably done acoustically as piranhas have excellent hearing |
| Social Behavior | Can be found in schools or groups, especially during feeding times |
| Predatory Strategy | Opportunistic |
| Threat to Humans | Rarely attacked humans unless provoked or in rare circumstances |
| Conservation Status | Some species are threatened due to habitat destruction and overfishing, while others are of the least concern |
| Lifespan | Varies among species, typically several years in the wild; Up to 25 years in captivity; |
| Water Parameters | Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water pH between 6.5 to 7.8; Warm temperatures (75 – 82℉ or 24 – 28℃) |
Although the majority of piranhas reach lengths that range from 12 to 35 cm (5–14 in), the most massive living species is one of the few that can become larger. For example, the San Francisco piranha (Pygocentrus piraya).
On the other hand, the red-bellied piranha which has a maximum measurement of 30.5 cm, is the smallest species of piranha in the world. You may find it intriguing that piranhas have tough, scale-covered skin that acts like armor. It protects them from predators and rough environments.
Piranhas have changed over time to live well in water. Their sharp teeth and powerful jaws help them catch efficient food easily.
Constantly, they are fast swimmers with sharp senses which makes them great hunters. They can also breathe in water with little oxygen, which shows how well they’ve adapted to their environment.
According to their living environment and species, piranhas naturally live between ten and twenty years on average in the wild. However, many piranhas are known to live far longer in captivity—up to 25 years even longer—when given the right care and circumstances.
For example, red-bellied piranhas live 10 or more years, black piranhas live up to 25 years, etc.
Well, I think you got it. Think of the table above as your ultimate piranha pocket guide. It is packed with bite-sized info on everything from their size to their hunting habits. Also, it is like having a fishy encyclopedia at your fingertips!
Present Distribution
Do you know California and other states in the US do not have piranhas now? In 1987, a single piranha was caught in a pond located in Riverside County which is in California. However, the pond was later emptied, and no other piranhas were discovered.
In 1989, there were reports of two piranhas and one caught from a park lake California’s Santa Barbara Country. And scientists speculate that these fish might have been pacu, not piranha
Similarly, a lone, red-bellied piranha was captured in 1998 from a lake near Ventura County’s Simi Valley Golf Course, California. Piranhas have been observed or caught in a number of US states and in Lake Ontario, Canada.
But no viable colonies have been able to be established. In Florida, piranhas have been completely eliminated three times: in 1962, 1977, and 2009.
Piranha’s Preferred Residence
So now, get ready to know about their actual residence. Piranhas are native to streams and tropical rivers in South America’s southern and central river systems. They are frequently found in muddy water.
Moreover, they have been discovered in borrow pits, lakes, rivers, and ponds when gathered in the United States. As cold as 75°F is sufficient for piranhas to survive, and as below as 80°F is probably sufficient for them to establish.
Studies indicate that if introduced, piranhas could be able to survive the winter in the seas of southern California. This is because the region’s water temperatures are similar to those in the southernmost parts of their natural habitat.
If you are willing to have more knowledge about their habitat then you should read “Piranha’s Habitat.“
Varieties of Piranhas
More than 60 species of piranhas have been identified, and each has distinct traits and adaptations. The primary distinction between them is the hue of their skin. Let’s check out their world in brief!
Red-bellied Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)
This is the most famous piranha species because it is most commonly seen in South American rivers. They are sometimes known as common piranha. The mature male has a maximum length of 35 cm and a maximum weight of 3 kg of this species.
For more than 60 years, this aquatic creature with remarkably sharp fangs has been a tamed choice. These fish have a stunning appearance and usually reach a body size of 13 inches.
However, this red or common piranhas are found particularly in nations like Uruguay, Paraná, Paraguay, and Esquivo.
Black Piranhas (Serrasalmus rhombeus)
This black beauty is also known as the Redeye piranha. Their heads are flat and more substantial with short nostrils. And their natural habitat is white as well as transparent waters.
You may frequently see them in Venezuela’s flooded savannas, plains, and woodlands through pipes and streams.
Black Spot Piranha (Pygocentrus Cariba)
The black-spot piranha and the red-bellied variety appear to be identical at first sight. But if you look closely, you will see a prominent black spot beneath their heads. That is how they got their name.
They are additionally somewhat shorter, seldom growing longer than 11 inches in total length. And considering their size, they often generate large volumes of trash. Hence, installing a more powerful filtration system is strongly advised if you keep them as pets.
Pike Piranha (Serrasalmus Elongatus)
These piranhas are among those species that don’t really resemble the common varieties of piranhas that we encounter every day. In fact, their bodies have a longer shape. They are a real piranha since, except for that, they meet all the requirements.
Males have aggressive temperaments, incredibly sharp fangs, and sparkling silver colors. And they don’t seem to get along with members of either species. They truly have the ability to choose to fight until only one remains when housed together in captive tanks.
Blacktail Piranhas (Pygocentrus piraya)
At last, I have managed to save the most elusive and well-kept piranha among all of them. It is the blacktail elegance which is also called San Francisco piranha. This specific fish is very large and heavy for its size. It measures no more than 14 inches, and it has a big body.
Other Types of Piranhas
Other species have distinct traits and adaptations of their own. That includes the yellow or ruby red piranha (Serrasalmus maculatus) and the white piranha (Serrasalmus brandtii), big belly spine piranha (Serrasalmus altispinis), altuvei piranha (Serrasalmus altuvei), etc.
Sharp teeth, predatory activity, and the capacity to endure in a variety of aquatic environments are their characteristics. All of these Caribe species have those characteristics in common, despite their variances.
Diet and Food Menu of Piranha
As opportunistic predators, piranhas consume flesh. They consume both land and aquatic life. Fish, crabs, mollusks, birds, insects, amphibians, lizards, carrion (carcasses), and rodents are a few of their prey items.
Generally, piranhas consume smaller fish. If there is a group of piranhas nearby, bigger fish and smaller mammals might be attacked.
The ways that piranhas forage fluctuate depending on their stage of life. Smaller fish usually look for food during the day, while larger fish do so around dawn, late in the afternoon, and early in the evening.
Piranha species share food in common. When there is not enough blood or food in the water, a feeding frenzy ensues. If you are more curious, then read “Piranha’s Food and Diet“!
Piranha’s Behavior
It is not typical for piranhas to use violence against humans, despite what television and film have made us believe. The fact that native Americans frequently bathe in rivers with high concentrations of these animals. Also, they frequently hunt and consume them as evidence of this.
However, because food is naturally scarcer in the summer, these fish tend to become more aggressive. They may attack a person’s hand or foot if they believe it to be prey.
Usually, the fishermen are the primary target of piranha fish attacks since they are desperate to escape their nets.
However, being primarily active throughout the day, piranhas are diurnal. The total amount of piranha fish in a group varies with the water’s level. During the dry season, we see larger groups in shallow waterways.
One interesting behavioral fact of piranha schools is they form a hierarchical structure in which the oldest and largest specimens move to the center.
Moreover, they are encircled by the newest and less experienced fish. That time they are vulnerable to pecks and bites from the animals that consume them.
If you are willing to have more knowledge about their behavior then you should read Piranha’s behavior.
Predators That Are a Threat to Piranhas
It may sound unbelievable, but piranhas actually have predators. These include herons, crocodiles, and river dolphins in the Amazon.
But like with many animals and fish, humans pose the biggest threat to them. It is because they usually capture these creatures for a variety of uses.
For example, piranhas are consumed as food by locals and several eateries in the vicinity. They serve the fish as a specialty dish or in other preparations that contain its meat.
Apart from serving them as food, their commercialization and sale as aquarium pets is the second usage.
Reproduction of Piranhas
Do you know at which age piranhas get sexual maturity? Basically, it can vary depending on the species. For example, Red-bellied piranhas usually become sexually mature between 1 to 2 years old in captivity.
On the other hand, Black piranhas typically reach maturity around 3 to 4 years of age. However, factors like environment and food availability can influence these timelines.
Mainly, in rivers and lakes, piranhas lay large clusters of eggs to reproduce. Lagoons and other large bodies of water are common piranha spawning grounds.
During the spawning process, piranhas will have a red belly. The color will get brighter and the fish itself will become a little lighter.
The male will then fertilize the eggs. Depending on the water’s temperature, the eggs are born in two to three days. The parents of piranha fish guard their offspring as well as the eggs. In April and May, during the rainy season, females remain most fertile.
Preferred Prey and Hunting Techniques of Piranhas
You already know now that piranhas are carnivorous and usually prey on smaller fish, insects, crustaceans, and occasionally larger animals. Also, they prefer to prey on the creatures that venture into their territory, such as birds or mammals.
Now, how do they get involved in group hunting? Generally, piranhas are famous for their collective hunting strategies. They involve cooperation and teamwork within their schools. When hunting as a group, they employ a technique known as “pack hunting.”
By encircling their prey, they create a barrier that impedes escape, then mount coordinated attacks from various directions. This overwhelms their target and makes evasion difficult.
Group hunting enables piranhas to efficiently subdue larger prey compared to solitary hunting. This behavior also ensures equitable access to food among all school members. Also, it enhances their survival prospects in the competitive aquatic ecosystem.
Humans-Piranhas Interaction
As I said earlier, Caribe or piranha is usually not a danger to humans. Human activity which is encroaching on piranha ecosystems frequently causes these interactions. This thing increases encounters and sometimes escalates fights. A bit gloomy!
In regions where fishing is common, catching piranhas may occur by accident. And when handling the fish, this could lead to bites or unintentional damage.
Accordingly, recreational pursuits like wading or swimming in piranha-infested streams can further raise the possibility of human contact with these fish.
Apart from that, piranhas are not just a random encounter. Some people in the Amazon use them as food.
Ecological Role of Piranhas
So now you must have a question about how this fish plays a role in the ecosystem. Piranhas are essential players in their ecosystems. They ensure everything stays in check and balanced!
As top predators, they regulate the populations of smaller fish, insects, and even larger creatures in their homes. By munching on the weaker or unwell ones, they prevent overcrowding.
They also favor one thing, which is to keep resources like food and space available for everyone else to enjoy! Isn’t it impressive?
Moreover, piranhas are eco-friendly recyclers. When they chow down on their meals, they break down the leftovers and release valuable nutrients back into the water through their waste.
These nutrients fuel the growth of plants and other critters. That’s how they keep the whole ecosystem buzzing with life.
Conservation Status of Piranhas
Piranhas, which are often thought of as scary fish, surprisingly aren’t listed as endangered on the IUCN red list. This might seem strange to you. Because many other animals are struggling to survive due to losing their homes and being caught too much.
But piranhas are doing okay, mainly because they are really good at living in different places. One reason they are doing okay is that they can live in lots of different water environments, like fast rivers and still ponds.
They also have a lot of babies at once. It helps to keep their numbers up even if some of them get caught by people. Even though some people catch piranhas to eat or keep as pets, there are still plenty of them around. That’s why they’re not in danger like some other animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are still curious to know more about piranha, let’s read the FAQs!
01. Are piranhas able to bite?
Yes. Piranhas can bite. Their lower and upper jaws feature rows of pointed teeth that set them apart from other species. Also, their reputation for lethality has been established by their formidable dentition and one of the most severe bites amongst bony fish.
02. Do piranhas really eat sharks?
No. Sharks are mostly sea fish, and piranhas are mainly freshwater fish. A few freshwater species of sharks exist, but none of those species are found in the same areas as piranhas. Therefore, since their habitats do not overlap, both piranhas and sharks do not feed on one another in the wild.
03. Can piranha fish be cooked or used as food?
The answer is definitely ‘Yes’. The native people of the Amazon region consume them. Also, numerous predators such as caimans and river dolphins consume them.
Conclusion
Piranhas are super interesting fish that lots of people find cool. Some folks think they are really scary though it’s a misconception. You will be surprised to hear that piranhas are really good at surviving because they can adapt to different situations. They are called Amazon’s toothy titans.
Piranhas have various types, each with unique traits. Their diet? Anything that moves! These sleek predators prowl the murky waters, but don’t let their reputation scare you. But they’re social beings, often seen schooling. You can also learn about their mysterious world, from predators to reproduction through this dossier.
So now tell me, are you captivated by their world or not? I think, yes.
References
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/piranha-fish
- https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/bony-fish/piranhas/
- https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Characidae
- https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/red-bellied-piranha
- https://louisvillezoo.org/animalsandplants/black-piranah/