Red-bellied Piranhaピラニア

Species Data

Classification

Characiformes / Serrasalmidae Source

Distribution

Found across South America in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná, and Essequibo river basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. Source

Did You Know?

• The name "piranha" comes from the Tupi language for "tooth fish," and its razor-sharp teeth were historically used as cutting tools, including for haircuts. Source
• Juveniles are silvery with dark spots, developing the characteristic bright red belly as they mature. Source
• The famous Theodore Roosevelt story of a piranha shoal devouring a cow in moments was later found to have been staged by local guides using fish that had been starved for over a week. Source

FAQ

Is the red-bellied piranha as dangerous as its reputation suggests?

Not really; it is mostly an opportunistic omnivore and scavenger, and the famous story of piranhas devouring a cow in seconds was staged using starved fish. Source

What does the red-bellied piranha eat?

It eats a broad omnivorous diet of insects, other fish, plant matter, and organic debris, feeding heavily on plants and insects when food is abundant. Source

Why do captive piranhas sometimes lose their red color?

Their vivid red belly is adapted to acidic, tannin-stained blackwater; without similar water conditions in captivity, the color can fade or fail to develop. Source