![]() However, when they grow up and if underfed, they can become cannibalistic. Juveniles usually are shoaling fish and tend to gather in groups to defend themselves against predators. When setting up an aquarium with piranhas, remember that these fish are prone to aggression. PH should be between 6.5 and 7.8, alkalinity between 3 ° and 8 ° (50 ppm to 140 ppm), and temperature between 75 ° and 80 ° F. For this reason, a powerful external filter with frequent and large water changes are essential. Red bellied Piranhas are fish with a very good metabolism, but they are very messy eaters, so contamination levels can be high. Remember that these fish naturally occur in the basins of the Amazon and other South American rivers, so the black water biotope is perfect here. ![]() Additionally, the aquarium should have a lot of hiding places in the form of roots or rocks. Floating plants are also intended to suppress the light reaching the water, as too intense exposure makes them skittish. Floating plants are also helpful due to their ability to consume excess nitrates that may be in the water. For this reason, it is recommended to choose solid and durable plants that can be attached to wood or rock above the substrate. The substrate can be sand or fine gravel, because during the spawning period, in their natural habitat, piranhas will dig pits in which the female deposits her eggs. If the aquarium is suitably maintained, piranhas are active fish that will swim in the middle of the aquarium, if not, they look depressed and hide in the corners. In addition, they should be equipped with a cover so that they do not jump out, and all equipment should be secured against the razor sharp teeth. For adult Piranha in groups of 5-7 fish, a minimum tank capacity of 1000 liters and a length of at least 200 cm is recommended. Although for a group of small individuals a 200-liter aquarium with a sandy substrate is sufficient. ![]() They live from 8-12 years.Īdult Piranhas require a very large aquarium. Usually, the lower body is dominated by a rusty orange coloration and the back is silver-gray. They can reach sizes of up to 33 cm and 3.85 kg. It is considered the most dangerous and aggressive fish in these waters. It inhabits most of the habitats typical of its area, including main river channels, smaller tributaries, oxbow lakes, floodplain lakes, and artificial reservoirs created by dams. The Natterera Piranha (Red bellied Piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri) is a fairly common fish in the Amazon, Parana, Essequibo, Uruguay rivers, and in the rivers of the north-eastern coast of Brazil. Piranha in the aquarium Have any of you seen the movie "Piranhas" from the seventies? This old American movie inspired me to write the following article as many aquarists keep this species in their home tanks.
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