Red Bellied Piranha

Red Bellied Piranha

Photo credit to Nandana

Red Bellied PiranhaProfile and Description
SizeUp to 12 inches or 30 cm
Special noteIt is not legal to keep Piranhas in certain countries and regions
OriginSouth America, especially the Amazon and Orinoco river basins
Natural habitatRivers
Fish HardinessRelatively easy to keep
Water Temperature72 - 84 ºF or 22 - 29 ºC
Water pH5.5 - 7.5 pH
Water Hardness5 - 20 dH
StrataAll but mostly middle
Peaceful or AggressiveVery aggressive
Number of same species in one aquariumSix or more if you have a large enough aquarium
Minimum tank size150 gallons or 550 liters for every group of six fish
Community FishNo
Compatible withOther Piranha
SexesFemales are in general more yellow than males and during breeding fatter and darker in color than males
FoodPrefers live fish, supplement with live blood worms or brine shrimp
BreedingNot very easy to breed
Breeding temperature79 - 84 °F or 26 - 29 °C
Other namesRed Belly Piranha, Red Piranha
Scientific namePygocentrus nattereri
Other Scientific namesPygocentrus ternetzi, Serrasalmus nattereri
Lifespan10 years

Aquarium Pictures of the Red Bellied Piranha

Red Bellied Piranha

Photo credit to Amanda Pippin



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