[7] Accourding to this information, the Red-bellied piranha is considered the smallest piranha species in the world, if the Wimple piranha were not considered a species[11] The rest of the body is often grey with silver-flecked scales. They may be fed live, fresh, or frozen food types, but they will not eat rotten meats. Piranhas range from northern Argentina to Colombia, but they are most diverse in the Amazon River, where 20 different species are found. Red-bellied piranhas are found throughout the low elevation regions of the Amazon River basin. When taken out of the water, the red-bellied piranha will emit a drumming-like sound, consisting of a low-frequency harmonic sound. In captivity, piranhas can live 10-20 years. [13], The red-bellied piranha is not a migratory species, but does search for conditions conducive to reproduction during seasons of increased rainfall. The typical diet of red-bellied piranhas includes insects, worms, crustaceans, and fish. you need need about 29 gallons of water per adult red belly piranha. [16], Piranhas have two annual reproductive seasons; these seasons are tied to water level fluctuations, the flooding pulse, temperature, and other hydrological conditions. The red bellied piranha gets to be 12" so yes..the tank is too small. [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. What Size Tank Should Red-Bellied Piranha Live in? The species can reach up to 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) in weight and 50 cm (20 in) in standard length,[2] but rarely surpass 35 cm (14 in). The red-bellied piranha is considered to be highly carnivorous, while most other fish that are not piranhas in the family are primarily herbivorous. Red-bellied piranhas are red on their undersides from chin and cheeks to belly. What do you guys think? Red-bellied piranhas often travel in shoals as a predatory defense, but rarely exhibit group hunting behavior. In an aquarium, they are often closer to one foot (12 inches/30 cm) long. They will always be a shy fish, no matter how big they get. Some get even bigger, such as the red-bellied piranha, which can reach lengths of up to 20 inches. I been feeding them fruits for three days now and they all seem to be happy except for my other 2 Some piranha species coexist in the same waterways such as the Caño Maporal, a stream in Venezuela, that hosts seven. 4 red bellies. A red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), for example, eats about 2.46 grams per day—about one-eighth of its average body mass. Two fish will inevitably fight for domination, and eventually you'll lose one of … What can do for a red belly piranhas to get big? The piranha may also catch prey by hunting and chasing, where it will lie hidden in the vegetation until its prey swims by. Red-Bellied Piranhas school in the wild for defense and require to be in groups of 6 fish or so to feel safe and secure. [6], The red-bellied piranha is typically found in white water rivers, such as the Amazon River Basin, and in some streams and lakes. [7] Red-bellied piranhas are red on their undersides from chin and cheeks to belly. How big do piranhas get? But once they reach sexual maturity, changes which make sexing fairly simple begin to occur. Red-bellied piranhas are omnivores and primarily foragers. And tank size plays a part as well I forgot to add that. Through media influence, the red-bellied piranha has developed a reputation as a ferocious predator, though this is not actually the case. What Size Tank Should Red-Bellied Piranha Live in? How big do piranhas get? Get an aquarium. Sometimes, blackish spots appear behind the gills and the anal fin is usually black at the base. Depending on the exact species, most piranhas grow to between 12 and 35 cm (5–14 in) long. Red-bellied piranha reproduction begins with a courtship display involving swimming in circles. Throughout the day, the fish lurk in dark areas and ambush their prey. ", "Safety in numbers? I know piranhas eat meat but I recently found out that 4 out of 7 of my red bellied piranhas love to eat grapes, apples, dragon fruits, carrots, and especially durians. 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. recent questions recent answers. The head and body are various shades of gray; their sides are flecked with bright silver scales. Many people suggest getting a tank large enough for 4 piranhas to best mimic the natural environment. [20], Nearly all sounds produced by red-bellied piranhas are produced in the context of social interactions between individuals. Serrasalmus nattereri (non Günther, 1864). 55 gallon tank. Acoustic communication is common, and is sometimes exhibited along with aggressive behaviors. From: Eric Schuh I have six red-bellied piranhas in a 55 gallon tank and they get along well with the red-tailed shark. Red belly piranhas are a very shy fish. The piranha's distinctly rounded and snub-nosed profile serves a function. Shoals of red-bellied piranha use the margins of flooded areas to build their nests. Most piranhas don't get any bigger than 2 feet (60 centimeters) long. The Red Bellied is thus a common Piranha for respectful owners. The low, drumming sounds are typically produced during moderate attacks, while loud, threatened sounds are produced during more vigorous attacks. Most species can reach a size of a minimum of 8-10″, however the biggest species (Pygocentrus piraya and Serrasalmus manueli) might mature to as much 24 inches, so a huge tank is an outright need despite what species you mean to keep! In captivity, piranhas can live 10-20 years. But others, like the red-bellied piranha, can be found in several. There is some debate as to how many different species there are, but it is thought to be somewhere between 20 and 50. [22], "Genetic differentiation in red‐bellied piranha populations (Pygocentrus nattereri, Kner, 1858) from the Solimões‐Amazonas River", "Molecular systematics of Serrasalmidae: Deciphering the identities of piranha species and unraveling their evolutionary histories", 10.1577/1548-8659(1997)126<0841:CTAPOO>2.3.CO;2, https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/what-is-the-smallest-speices-of-piranha.49031/, "Acoustic Communication: Sound Advice from Piranhas", "Piranha - Ferocious Fighter or Scavenging Softie? Crustaceans, bugs, … The scientific name for the species is Pygocentrus nattereri. I followed the advice from the guys at the piranha fury forum and bought 4 more piranha from the same vendor. The head and body are various shades of gray; their sides are flecked with bright silver scales. As our little bundle of joy explores his habitat, help us celebrate his milestones with a gift today! The species can reach up to 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) in weight and 50 cm (20 in) in standard length, but rarely surpass 35 cm (14 in). The nests are about 4 to 5 cm deep, and are dug amongst water grasses, with the eggs attached to the grasses and plant stems. Sometimes, they may inhabit flooded forests such as those found in the Brazilian Amazon. One for sure is a silver dollar but these two kinda look like red belly piranhas. 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. More commonly, they grow to between 6-8 inches and weigh about 3 pounds.