🐟 Piranha – The Notorious Freshwater Fish
Piranhas are a group of freshwater fish known for their sharp teeth and a reputation for ferocity. They belong to the subfamily Serrasalminae within the family Serrasalmidae and are native to South American rivers, floodplains, lakes, and reservoirs. While often portrayed as aggressive predators, piranhas exhibit a range of feeding behaviors and ecological roles.
📍 Distribution & Habitat
Piranhas are indigenous to the Amazon basin, Orinoco, rivers of the Guianas, the Paraguay–Paraná, and the São Francisco River systems. Species richness varies across these systems, with the Amazon hosting the highest diversity. While most species are confined to specific river systems, some, like the red-bellied piranha, are more widespread. Instances of piranhas appearing outside their native range, such as in parts of the United States and Bangladesh, are typically due to human introduction.
🧬 Taxonomy & Species
The term “piranha” encompasses various species within the subfamily Serrasalminae. Traditionally, genera such as Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, and Serrasalmus are recognized as true piranhas due to their specialized teeth. However, taxonomic classifications have evolved, with some analyses suggesting a broader or more restricted grouping to maintain monophyly. Estimates of piranha species range from fewer than 30 to over 60, with new species still being described.
🔍 Physical Characteristics
Most piranhas grow between 12 to 35 cm in length, though some, like the red-bellied piranha, can reach up to 50 cm. They possess a single row of sharp, interlocking teeth in both jaws, designed for rapid puncture and shearing. The black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) is noted for having one of the strongest bites among bony fishes, relative to body size.
🍽️ Diet & Feeding Behavior
Contrary to their carnivorous reputation, piranhas are omnivorous. Their diet includes fish, invertebrates, fruits, seeds, and
🐟 Piranha – The Notorious Freshwater Fish
Piranhas are a group of freshwater fish known for their sharp teeth and a reputation for ferocity. They belong to the subfamily Serrasalminae within the family Serrasalmidae and are native to South American rivers, floodplains, lakes, and reservoirs. While often portrayed as aggressive predators, piranhas exhibit a range of feeding behaviors and ecological roles.
📍 Distribution & Habitat
Piranhas are indigenous to the Amazon basin, Orinoco, rivers of the Guianas, the Paraguay–Paraná, and the São Francisco River systems. Species richness varies across these systems, with the Amazon hosting the highest diversity. While most species are confined to specific river systems, some, like the red-bellied piranha, are more widespread. Instances of piranhas appearing outside their native range, such as in parts of the United States and Bangladesh, are typically due to human introduction.
🧬 Taxonomy & Species
The term “piranha” encompasses various species within the subfamily Serrasalminae. Traditionally, genera such as Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, and Serrasalmus are recognized as true piranhas due to their specialized teeth. However, taxonomic classifications have evolved, with some analyses suggesting a broader or more restricted grouping to maintain monophyly. Estimates of piranha species range from fewer than 30 to over 60, with new species still being described.
🔍 Physical Characteristics
Most piranhas grow between 12 to 35 cm in length, though some, like the red-bellied piranha, can reach up to 50 cm. They possess a single row of sharp, interlocking teeth in both jaws, designed for rapid puncture and shearing. The black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) is noted for having one of the strongest bites among bony fishes, relative to body size.
🍽️ Diet & Feeding Behavior
Contrary to their carnivorous reputation, piranhas are omnivorous. Their diet includes fish, invertebrates, fruits, seeds, and
A piranha (/pɪˈrɑːnjəˌ -ræn/, or /pɪˈrɑːnə/; Portuguese: [piˈɾɐ̃ɲɐ]) is any of a number of freshwater fish species in the subfamily Serrasalminae, of the family Serrasalmidae, in the order Characiformes. These fish inhabit South American rivers, floodplains, lakes and reservoirs. Although often described as extremely predatory and mainly feeding on fish, their dietary habits vary extensively, and they will also take plant material, leading to their classification as omnivorous.
| Piranha Temporal range:
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| A red-bellied piranha at the Karlsruhe Zoo | |
Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae |
| Subfamily: | Serrasalminae |
| Included genera | |
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Catoprion | |
| Cladistically included but traditionally excluded taxa | |