Red-bellied Piranha

About

The red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is probably the most infamous freshwater fish on the planet, yet much of its reputation traces back to a staged stunt involving a starving, netted school and a cow prepared for the occasion during Theodore Roosevelt's 1913 visit to Brazil. In reality, there is no documented case of wild piranhas killing a human being. Found across an enormous range spanning the Amazon, Paraguay-Parana, and several other South American river systems, these fish inhabit everything from productive whitewater floodplains to dark, tannin-stained blackwater creeks. Coloration varies considerably depending on origin and habitat, with blackwater fish tending toward darker, muted tones and less of the vivid orange-red ventral coloring that gives the species its common name. Adults are not the constantly frenzied pack hunters of Hollywood lore. They tend to be fairly sedentary, often hovering in mid-water, and feed most actively around dawn and dusk. Social dynamics are more nuanced than most people expect, with loose groups establishing clear dominance hierarchies. Keeping a single specimen or a group of five or more is generally recommended over small intermediate numbers. Juveniles are sold cheaply given commercial farming, but a fish that can approach 16 inches deserves serious thought before purchase. This is not a casual beginner project.