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EXPLORE > ANIMALS > FISH
Pygocentrus nattereri
Like the anaconda, the piranha is often judged by an ill-gotten and frequently inaccurate reputation. There are a variety of piranha species in South America. Although they are most closely associated with the massive Amazon River, they can be found in smaller tributary rivers and swamps all over the eastern half of the continent.
The red-bellied piranha is perhaps one of the best known and is often considered a voracious predator that will attack en masse and strip other animals to the bone in a matter of minutes. In the wild, however, red-bellied piranha often fill more of a scavenger role, feeding on the bodies of dead or dying animals but not necessarily killing them outright. Their primary diet consists of fish, shrimp, mollusks and worms. Perhaps surprising to most people, these fish are omnivores and will also feed on plant materials.
The red-bellied piranha has a thick, robust body with gray-black scales flecked with silver or gold. As the name suggests, its belly is a bright reddish-orange. Adults can reach of to 20 inches (50 cm) in length and weigh a maximum of 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg).
Range and Habitat
These fish are found in a variety of neotropical freshwater rivers and lakes throughout the Amazon Basin, South America. They prefer murky water with a high level of suspended sediment.
Conservation Status
Common.
Pygocentrus nattereri
Like the anaconda, the piranha is often judged by an ill-gotten and frequently inaccurate reputation. There are a variety of piranha species in South America. Although they are most closely associated with the massive Amazon River, they can be found in smaller tributary rivers and swamps all over the eastern half of the continent.
The red-bellied piranha is perhaps one of the best known and is often considered a voracious predator that will attack en masse and strip other animals to the bone in a matter of minutes. In the wild, however, red-bellied piranha often fill more of a scavenger role, feeding on the bodies of dead or dying animals but not necessarily killing them outright. Their primary diet consists of fish, shrimp, mollusks and worms. Perhaps surprising to most people, these fish are omnivores and will also feed on plant materials.
The red-bellied piranha has a thick, robust body with gray-black scales flecked with silver or gold. As the name suggests, its belly is a bright reddish-orange. Adults can reach of to 20 inches (50 cm) in length and weigh a maximum of 8.5 pounds (3.9 kg).
Range and Habitat
These fish are found in a variety of neotropical freshwater rivers and lakes throughout the Amazon Basin, South America. They prefer murky water with a high level of suspended sediment.
Conservation Status
Common.
