dcsimg

Behavior

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri has been introduced to the freshwaters of the United States on numerous occasions. Introductions have been reported in Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. The fishes were probably releases from aquariums. When a piranha is found in a lake, many state agencies use the chemical rotenone to kill the fishes.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri is considered one of the more dangerous and aggressive species of piranha.

Negative Impacts: injures humans (bites or stings)

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri is one of the most commonly used piranhas in the aquarium trade.

Positive Impacts: pet trade

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

An interesting relationship between P. nattereri and Serrasalmus marginatus has developed. Serrasalmus marginatus has been seen taking crustacean parasites off the bodies of P. nattereri.

Mutualist Species:

  • Serrasalmus marginatus
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Foraging methods vary in different life stages of P. nattereri. During the day, smaller fish (80-110 mm) search for food. At dawn, late afternoon, and early evening the larger fish (150-240 mm) search for food. Pygocentrus nattereri groups gather in vegetation in order to wait for prey. The group typically includes around 20-30 fishes. In the daytime P. nattereri can be seen lurking or ambushing prey. Two other methods for obtaining food employed by P. nattereri are chasing and scavenging. The hunting mode of chasing was seen after the fish lie and wait in vegetation. The fish then proceed to swim after and eat the fish. P. nattereri has a wide variety of food in its diet, including fins, scales, fish (pieces and whole), insects, snails, and plants. The plant intake of the animal may be an active way of gaining food supplies while scanning for prey.

Animal Foods: fish; carrion ; insects; mollusks

Plant Foods: leaves; fruit

Primary Diet: omnivore

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri is found in South America. Pygocentrus nattereri can be found east of the Andes in the Parana-Paraguay and Amazon basin. They can also be found in rivers of northeast Brazil and the Guianas.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri is typically found in whitewater streams in South America (Saint-Paul 2000). However, the species is not found typically in blackwater streams (Fink 1993)

Habitat Regions: tropical ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: rivers and streams

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri physical characteristics vary with location, population, and age. In juvenile P. nattereri there are differences in physical characteristics depending on the size of the fish. A change in color pattern does seem to develop as size increases. The thickening body tissue tends to cause the black internal line of the anal fin to disappear and both the number of body spots and the density of melanophores increases with growth. Adult specimens also tend to vary in color pattern and body size with geographic location. Generally P. nattereri is reddish-orange ventrally and silver-gray dorsally. The fins vary in color as well, with a black dorsal fin, black anal fin, and reddish-orange pectoral fins. The lateral color of the fish is a gray to silver- gray.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Pygocentrus nattereri seems to have a type of courtship display that involves swimming in circles. This results in ventral-to-ventral interactions among the male and female. Eggs are placed in the sediment, in bowl shaped nests. These nests are around 4-5 cm in depth and 15 cm in diameter. The eggs are in clusters and are attached to the bottom vegetation. There may also be a relationship between the times of the spawning and the time of the wet season.

Breeding season: Spawning seems to occur during the wet season.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Putz, B. 2002. "Pygocentrus nattereri" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pygocentrus_nattereri.html
author
Brian Putz, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
William Fink, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Brief Summary

provided by EOL authors

Thered-bellied piranhaorred piranha(Pygocentrus nattereri) is aspeciesofpiranhanative toSouth America, found in theAmazon River Basin, coastal rivers of northeasternBrazil, and the basins of theParaguayandParaná.The red-bellied piranha has a popular reputation as a ferocious predator, despite being primarily scavengers.As their name suggests, red-bellied piranhas have a reddish tinge to the belly when fully grown, although juveniles are a silver colour with darker spots. They grow to a maximum length of 33 centimetres (13in) and a weight of 3.5 kilograms (7.7lb). The way to distinguish males from females is that the female has a slightly deeper color of red on her belly.

Read more...

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia Editors and contributors
original
visit source
partner site
EOL authors

Red Piranha

provided by EOL authors

Identification: Another commonly used name is Serrasalmus nattereri. Some United States specimens misidentified as members of this species may actually have been closely related species, the Orinoco piranha (Pygocentrus notatus, whose other names include P. caribe and Serrasalmus notatus). Pacus (Colossoma and Piaractus) also have been frequently misidentified as piranhas. Fink (1993) recently reviewed the genus Pygocentrus and provided a key and photographs.

license
cc-by-3.0
copyright
Eli E. Agbayani
original
visit source
partner site
EOL authors

Red-bellied Piranha

provided by EOL authors

An opportunistic and omnivorous feeder.

license
cc-publicdomain
original
visit source
partner site
EOL authors

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Ichthyobodo Infection. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Bacterial Infections (general). Bacterial diseases
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Eustrongylides Infestation 2 (Larvae). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Diseases and Parasites

provided by Fishbase
Procamallanus Infection 10. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Allan Palacio
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Life Cycle

provided by Fishbase
Males and females appear externally alike (Refs. 2279 & 9245). In 'Serrasalmus sp. aff. nattereri', reported to occur in the Orinoco basin (Venezuela, Guyana), the males have more 'bull-like' heads, but are more slender than females (Ref. 1672). Eggs are laid on tree roots trailing in the water and are guarded; the reproductive success may vary strongly from year to year depending on how the savanna was flooded (Ref. 9078). The eggs are large, adhere to plants and are not attacked by the parents. They hatch in 9 to10 days (Ref. 7020).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Crispina B. Binohlan
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Morphology

provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 18; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 27 - 30
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Rainer Froese
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Trophic Strategy

provided by Fishbase
Common in creeks and interconnected ponds in Matto Grosso, Brazil, where it influences distribution and feeding of other fish (Ref. 9080) and in areas of high primary production in Rio Machado and Rio Negro (Ref.9096). Adults feed mainly at dusk and dawn. Feeds on insects, worms and fish (Ref. 7020). Medium-sized to large individuals (15-24 cm length) forage mainly at dawn, late afternoon and night up to about 2200H, whereas smaller fish (8-11 cm) are active mainly during the day (Ref. 9080). Teeth replacement on alternating sides of jaw allows continuous feeding. Its powerful dentition can inflict serious bites. Has a highly evolved auditory capacity and a 'lurking', then 'dashing' behavior during daytime. Shows hierarchies within small schools (Ref. 9077).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Crispina B. Binohlan
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Biology

provided by Fishbase
Common in creeks and interconnected ponds in Matto Grosso, Brazil, where it influences distribution and feeding of other fish (Ref. 9080) and in areas of high primary production in Rio Machado and Rio Negro (Ref.9096). Adults feed mainly at dusk and dawn. Feeds on insects, worms and fish (Ref. 7020). Medium-sized to large individuals (15-24 cm length) forage mainly at dawn, late afternoon and night up to about 2200H, whereas smaller fish (8-11 cm) are active mainly during the day (Ref. 9080). Teeth replacement on alternating sides of jaw allows continuous feeding. Its powerful dentition can inflict serious bites. Has a highly evolved auditory capacity and a 'lurking', then 'dashing' behavior during daytime. Shows hierarchies within small schools (Ref. 9077). Available information on body composition of 'piranha caju' flesh is 8.2% fat, 15.0% protein and 4.4% ash (Ref. 9251).
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Susan M. Luna
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Importance

provided by Fishbase
fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
FishBase
Recorder
Susan M. Luna
original
visit source
partner site
Fishbase

Red-bellied piranha

provided by wikipedia EN

The red-bellied piranha, also known as the red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), is a type of piranha native to South America, found in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná and Essequibo basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil.[1][2] This fish is locally abundant in its freshwater habitat.[3] They are omnivorous foragers and feed on insects, worms, crustaceans, and fish. They are not a migratory species but do travel to seek out conditions conducive to breeding and spawning during periods of increased rainfall. Red-bellied piranhas often travel in shoals as a predatory defense but rarely exhibit group hunting behavior. Acoustic communication is common and is sometimes exhibited along with aggressive behaviors. They are a popular aquarium fish.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

The red-bellied piranha belongs to the family Serrasalmidae, which is a group of medium to large-sized characids and includes other closely related omnivores such as pacus.[4] They are characterized by deep, lateral compressed bodies and long dorsal fins.[5] Within the family, red-bellied piranhas are classified in the genus Pygocentrus, which is distinguished by the unusual dentition and differing head width dimensions. The red-bellied piranha is often thought of as highly carnivorous, while most other fish that are not piranhas in the family are primarily herbivorous. However, the red-bellied piranha is actually omnivorous.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The red-bellied piranha is distributed widely throughout the South American continent and is found in the Neotropical rivers of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.[6] They live in the warm freshwater drainages of several major rivers including the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná, and Essequibo, as well as numerous smaller systems.[7] They can live in waters that are between 15 and 35 °C (59–95 °F) but are able to survive temperatures as low as 10 °C (50 °F) for a period.[8] They are mainly found in whitewater,[9] but have also been recorded in blackwater and clearwater.[7] The red-bellied piranha live in major rivers, streams, lakes (such as oxbows and artificial lakes formed by dams), floodplains,[7] and flooded forests.[6] They were introduced to China, probably by the aquarium trade.[10]: 75  First detected in 1990 they have since become invasive in the country.[10]: 75 

No piranha is found in the United States including this one.[11] In 1998 a single specimen was found in a lake in a golf course in Simi Valley, Ventura County, California.[11] California and Washington prohibit P. nattereri and encourage surveillance to prevent its introduction.[11][12]

Description

Jaw bone with razor-shape teeth in Cologne Zoo

The red-bellied piranha has a popular reputation as a ferocious predator, despite being primarily a scavenger.[13] As their name suggests, red-bellied piranhas have a reddish tinge to the belly when fully grown, although juveniles are a silver color with darker spots. The species can reach up to 3.9 kg (8 lb 10 oz) in weight and 50 cm (20 in) in standard length[2] but rarely surpass 35 cm (14 in).[7] The rest of the body is often grey with silver-flecked scales. Sometimes, blackish spots appear behind the gills and the anal fin is usually black at the base. The pectoral and pelvic fins may vary from red to orange. Females can be distinguished from males by the slightly deeper red color of their bellies.[6]

The red-bellied piranha is typically found in white water rivers, such as the Amazon River Basin, and in some streams and lakes. Sometimes, they may inhabit flooded forests such as those found in the Brazilian Amazon. They live in shoals but do not group hunt, although they may occasionally enter into feeding frenzies. In the case of a feeding frenzy, schools of piranha will converge on one large prey individual and eat it within minutes. These attacks are usually extremely rare and are due to provocation or starvation. Breeding occurs over a two-month period during the rainy season, but that can vary by area. Females will lay around 5,000 eggs on newly submerged vegetation in nests that are built by the males.[6]

A significant amount of lore regarding the ferocity of the red-belied piranha can be traced to President Theodore Roosevelt following the completion of the Roosevelt-Rondon Scientific Expedition. The former president returned with dramatic stories of an entire cow being stripped to the bones within a matter of a few minutes. This event was later found to be staged by local guides, eager to provide Roosevelt with a spectacle worthy of the journey. It later surfaced the fish had been corralled and starved for over a week, into a section of the river, into which the unfortunate cow was driven for the event. There is nothing to suggest Roosevelt was ever aware of this fact.

Behavior

Pygocentrus nattereri encompasses a larger geographic area than any other piranha species, covering much of the Neotropical region. When red-bellied piranhas are introduced to other parts of the American continent, there are usually negative consequences for the local fish fauna,[14] partially due to its generally aggressive behavior. This aggressive behavior is sometimes marked by the acoustic sounds they produce.[15]

The red-bellied piranha is not a migratory species[16]: 288  but does search for conditions conducive to reproduction during seasons of increased rainfall. Red-bellied piranhas are omnivores and primarily foragers. They feed on insects, fish, plants, and organic debris.[1] Bechara et al., 1996 finds P. nattereri is almost immune to gas bubble disease which is devastating to almost all fish in the same environment.[16]: 288 

Diet and feeding behavior

The typical diet of red-bellied piranhas is omnivorous[17] including fruit,[18][17] leaves,[17] insects,[17] mollusks,[17] carrion[17] and fish.[17] In packs up to hundreds, piranhas have been known to feed on animals as large as egrets or capybara. Despite the piranha's reputation as a dangerous carnivore, it is actually primarily a scavenger and forager, and will mainly eat plants and insects during the rainy season when food is abundant.[19] They also tend to feed only on weak, injured, dying, or dead animals in the wild.[18] Red-bellied piranhas do not stay in groups in order to pack-hunt for larger animals, but instead group for protection against predators.

Foraging methods vary throughout the different stages of a piranha's life. Smaller fish will search for food during the day, while larger fish will forage at dawn, in the late afternoon, and in the early evening. Throughout the day, the fish lurk in dark areas and ambush their prey. The piranha may also catch prey by hunting and chasing, where it will lie hidden in the vegetation until its prey swims by. The piranha will then capture its prey. When scavenging, the piranha will eat a wide variety of food, ranging from pieces of debris, insects, snails, fish fins, scales, and plants.[1]

Reproduction

The breeding habits of piranhas in nature are mostly unknown, with most spawning research being done in aquariums.[20] Piranhas are usually able to breed by the time they are one year old. Female piranhas will lay several thousand eggs near water plants, onto which the eggs stick. The males then fertilize the eggs. After just two to three days the eggs will hatch, and the juvenile piranhas will hide in the plants until they are large enough to defend themselves, at which point hiding from predators becomes lurking for prey.[18]

Research on red-bellied piranha breeding behavior in nature has revealed certain behavioral patterns around nesting sites. Adult piranhas will swim side-by-side in small circles, sometimes with two individuals swimming in opposite directions while keeping their ventral surfaces close to one another. Although this may appear to be a courtship display, a closer look reveals that the adults are actually defending nesting sites. The nests are about 4 to 5 centimetres (1+12 to 2 in) deep, and are dug among water grasses, with the eggs attached to the grasses and plant stems.[14]

This formation of mating pairs, nuptial swimming displays, and guarding of the nests shows that red-bellied piranhas exhibit parental care for the nest and the young.[14] When left unattended, other fish, such as characids, may prey upon the eggs. Despite the defensive practice of circling the nests, red-bellied piranhas are often passive toward other fish that approach the nest. It is possible that the mere presence of the piranha, a natural predator, provides enough of a threat to prevent potential predators from approaching the nest.[20]

Piranhas have two annual reproductive seasons; these seasons are tied to water level fluctuations, the flooding pulse, temperature, and other hydrological conditions.[20] When individuals are ready to become sexually active, they will lose their red coloration and select habitats that are conducive to spawning, such as flooded marginal grasses and vegetation within lakes. This habitat selection is a clear distinction from non-reproductive individuals that prefer open water and under floating meadows.[14]

Shoaling

Red-bellied piranhas often travel in shoals as a predatory defense, as well as for the offense. In studies that tested the piranhas' reactions to a simulated predator attack, resting opercular rates returned to normal more quickly among piranhas that were in shoals of eight rather than in shoals of two. Although it has been presumed that piranhas engage in pack-hunting behavior, no investigation shows that shoaling behavior among piranhas is used for cooperative hunting.[21]

Most likely, this shoaling behavior is a defense against predation from larger animals such as dolphins, large piscivorous fish, caimans, and aquatic birds.[21] Piranhas will travel to their nesting sites in shoals in order to reduce the likelihood that any single individual will be attacked by a predator. Shoals of red-bellied piranha use the margins of flooded areas to build their nests.[22]

Communication and signaling

Acoustic communication among red-bellied piranhas is exhibited along with aggressive behaviors, such as biting, chasing, conspecific confrontation, and fighting.[15] The sounds created by piranhas are generated through rapid contractions of the sonic muscles and is associated with the swimbladder. The swimbladder may play an important role in sound production as a resonator.[23] All of the observations made on sound production by red-bellied piranha have been when specimens were held by hand. When taken out of the water, the red-bellied piranha will emit a drumming-like sound, consisting of a low-frequency harmonic sound.[24] However, research has shown the presence of three types of acoustic emissions that are associated with specific behaviors. Type one calls are made up of harmonic sounds, last approximately 140 milliseconds at 120 Hz, and are associated with frontal display behavior between two fish. Type two sounds last approximately 36 milliseconds at 40 Hz, and are associated with circling and fighting behavior related to food competition. Type three sounds are made up of a single pulse lasting just 3 milliseconds at 1740 Hz, and are highly associated with chasing behavior toward a conspecific individual. This same sound is also produced when an individual snaps its jaws to bite another individual.[24]

Nearly all sounds produced by red-bellied piranhas are produced in the context of social interactions between individuals. The low, drumming sounds are typically produced during moderate attacks, while loud, threatened sounds are produced during more vigorous attacks.[24]

Conservation status

Caught with chum

The red-bellied piranha is widespread and locally abundant. In some parts of its range, it is among the most common fish species.[3] The collection and trade of the species to aquariums may locally present a low risk to the red-bellied piranha.[6]

In the media

Many myths surround this species. The 1978 film Piranha by Joe Dante shows these fish in a similar light to sharks in Jaws. Piranha was followed by a sequel, Piranha II: The Spawning, in 1982, and two remakes, one in 1995, and Piranha 3D in 2010, which also got a sequel of its own, Piranha 3DD. Films such as these, and stories of large schools of red-bellies attacking humans, fuel their exaggerated and erroneous reputation as being one of the most ferocious freshwater fish. In reality, they are generally timid scavengers, fulfilling a role similar to vultures on land. In Piranha 3D, a previously unknown piranha is discovered. Christopher Lloyd's character misidentifies a specimen of this monstrous new species as the familiar Pygocentrus nattereri.[25]

In aquariums

Red-bellied piranhas are sometimes kept as aquarium fish. They may be fed live, fresh, or frozen food, but they will not eat rotten meats. Their natural diet consists of live prey and dead animals or fish. Live feedings to captive piranhas can introduce diseases, and goldfish contain a growth-inhibiting hormone, which in turn will affect piranhas. Red-bellied piranhas, particularly when juvenile, will sometimes bite one another in the aquarium, normally on the fins, in behavior called 'fin nipping'. Those that have had their fins nipped will grow them back surprisingly rapidly. To maintain a piranha aquarium, it is important to keep the water quality up, as they are messy eaters, and this will dirty the water in the tank. Also, they need places to hide in dim light. Because in the wild they may not eat every day, those in captivity do not need to be fed daily, but when hungry, they can eat each other.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b c Pygocentrus nattereri. Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Accessed 19 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b Froese, R. and D. Pauly, Editors. Pygocentrus nattereri. FishBase. 2015.
  3. ^ a b Santos, Carlos Henrique dos A. dos; Sá Leitão, Carolina S.; Paula‐Silva, Maria de N.; Almeida‐Val, Vera Maria F. (2016). "Genetic differentiation in red‐bellied piranha populations (Pygocentrus nattereri, Kner, 1858) from the Solimões‐Amazonas River". Ecology and Evolution. 6 (12): 4203–4213. doi:10.1002/ece3.2195. PMC 4972243. PMID 27516875.
  4. ^ Black-finned Pacu Fish, Colossoma macropomum: Profile with care, maintenance requirements and breeding information for your tropical fish. Badmanstropicalfish.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-13.
  5. ^ a b Freeman, B.; Nico, L. G.; Osentoski, M.; Jelks, H. L.; Collins, T. M. (2007). "Molecular systematics of Serrasalmidae: Deciphering the identities of piranha species and unraveling their evolutionary histories" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1484 (4): 1–38. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0469.2000.384132.x. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Red-bellied piranha". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2013-12-05. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d "Pygocentrus nattereri". SeriouslyFish. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  8. ^ Bennett, W. A.; Currie, R. J.; Wagner, P. F.; Beitinger, T. L. (September 1997). "Cold Tolerance and Potential Overwintering of the Red-Bellied Piranha in the United States". Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 126 (5): 841–849. doi:10.1577/1548-8659(1997)126<0841:CTAPOO>2.3.CO;2.
  9. ^ Saint-Paul, Ulrich; Zuanon, Jansen; Correa, Marle A. Villacorta; García, Marcelo; Fabré, Nidia Noemi; Berger, Uta; Junk, Wolfgang J. (2000). "Fish Communities in Central Amazonian White- and Blackwater Floodplains". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 57 (3): 235–250. doi:10.1023/A:1007699130333. S2CID 25361090.
  10. ^ a b Wan, Fanghao; Jiang, Mingxing; Zhan, Aibin, eds. (2017). Biological invasions and its management in China. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. pp. xiv+366. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-0948-2. ISBN 978-94-024-0946-8. OCLC 984692367. S2CID 132236558. ISBN 978-94-024-0948-2.
  11. ^ a b c "California's Invaders: Piranha". California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2020. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  12. ^ "Red-Bellied piranha". Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  13. ^ "Red-bellied piranha". BBC Nature Wildlife. BBC. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d Queiroz, H. L.; M. B. Sobanski; A. E. Magurran (September 2010). "Reproductive strategies of Red-bellied Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri Kner, 1858) in the white waters of the Mamirauá flooded forest, central Brazilian Amazon". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 89 (1): 11–19. doi:10.1007/s10641-010-9658-1. S2CID 29214833.
  15. ^ a b Katenhuber, E.; S. C. F. Neuhauss (20 December 2011). "Acoustic Communication: Sound Advice from Piranhas". Current Biology. 21 (24): 986–988. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2011.10.048. PMID 22192829.
  16. ^ a b Lucas, Martyn; Baras, Etienne; Thom, Timothy; Duncan, Annie; Slavik, Ondrej (2001). Migration of Freshwater Fishes. Oxford: Blackwell Science. ISBN 0-632-05754-8. OCLC 47894872.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Pygocentrus nattereri (Redbelly piranha)".
  18. ^ a b c "Red-bellied piranha". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  19. ^ Zollinger, S. A. "Piranha – Ferocious Fighter or Scavenging Softie?". Indiana Public Media.
  20. ^ a b c Uetanabaro, M.; T. Wang; A. S. Abe (December 1993). "Breeding behaviour of the red-bellied piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri, in nature". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 38 (4): 369–371. doi:10.1007/bf00007529. S2CID 44227257.
  21. ^ a b Queiroz, H.; Magurran, A. E. (22 June 2005). "Safety in numbers? Shoaling behaviour of the Amazonian red-bellied piranha". Biology Letters. 1 (2): 155–157. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2004.0267. PMC 1626212. PMID 17148153.
  22. ^ Vicentin, W.; dos Santos Costa, F. E.; Súarez, Y. R. (2013). "Population ecology of Red-bellied Piranha Pygocentrus nattereri Kner, 1858 (Characidae: Serrasalminae) in the Negro River, Pantanal, Brazil" (PDF). Environmental Biology of Fishes. 96: 57–66. doi:10.1007/s10641-012-0022-5. S2CID 14821360.
  23. ^ Onuki, A; Ohmori Y.; Somiya H. (January 2006). "Spinal Nerve Innervation to the Sonic Muscle and Sonic Motor Nucleus in Red Piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri (Characiformes, Ostariophysi)". Brain, Behavior and Evolution. 67 (2): 11–122. doi:10.1159/000089185. PMID 16254416. S2CID 7395840.
  24. ^ a b c Millot, S.; Vandewalle, P.; Parmentier, E. (12 October 2011). "Sound production in red-bellied piranhas (Pygocentrus nattereri, Kner): an acoustical, behavioural and morphofunctional study". Journal of Experimental Biology. 214 (21): 3613–3618. doi:10.1242/jeb.061218. PMID 21993790.
  25. ^ Chakrabarty, P.; Fink, W. L. (2011). "Review of Piranha 3D" (PDF). Copeia. 1: 181. doi:10.1643/ot-10-147. S2CID 85396832.
  26. ^ Wittenrich, M. L. The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes. Neptune City, New Jersey: T. F. H. Publications. 2007. ISBN 1890087718

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Red-bellied piranha: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The red-bellied piranha, also known as the red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), is a type of piranha native to South America, found in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná and Essequibo basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. This fish is locally abundant in its freshwater habitat. They are omnivorous foragers and feed on insects, worms, crustaceans, and fish. They are not a migratory species but do travel to seek out conditions conducive to breeding and spawning during periods of increased rainfall. Red-bellied piranhas often travel in shoals as a predatory defense but rarely exhibit group hunting behavior. Acoustic communication is common and is sometimes exhibited along with aggressive behaviors. They are a popular aquarium fish.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN