Red-bellied piranha

The red-bellied piranha is a well-known predatory characin (family Serrasalmidae) from the Amazon and other river systems of South America. Adults are silvery-grey with a red to orange belly and throat, a deep body, and powerful jaws lined with sharp interlocking teeth. It is a shoaling species that in the wild forms groups partly for protection. In captivity it can be nervous and skittish, and specimens may show aggression toward one another, so a sizable group in a large tank is recommended to spread out any hostility. A very large aquarium with strong filtration, dim lighting, and cover such as driftwood and plants suits its wary temperament. It is a carnivore that eats fish, invertebrates, and meaty foods; captive diets should be fish fillet, shrimp, and prepared carnivore foods rather than live feeders. Its reputation for ferocity is often exaggerated.