piranah

emily89 · #1 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 01:22 PM

anybody on here ever kept piranah? jus wondered what their requirements were ect, how easy they are to keep? they are just a bit different! any info much appreciated

bikemadbaz · #2 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 02:17 PM

Hi, I had a piranah quite a few years ago. It was given me by a friend who bought two but they kept trying to take chunks out of each other. I had to keep it in a 3 foot tank by it'self. i started off feeding it guppies but it soon grew out of them. feeding it fresh raw meat was fine as long as any not eaten almost straight away was removed or it would start to slow cook in the warm water. Hanging it on a piece of cotten was a good idea so i could usually remove it with only the minimum disurbance to my fish. Also feeding it fresh meat meant i had to change the water and wash out the filter more often. It gave me loads of pleasure watching it hunt down its live food which was any fish I could get hold of. ( fresh, tropical even salt water.) frogs, slugs, worms. It would eat anything it could catch. handeling it was always fun, don't put fingers in it's mouth. Yes they are teeth and yes it will bite you. besides that it was quite easy to keep. it grew to about eight or nine inch before I sold it.
Hope this helps? any more questions just give me a shout and I will try to answer them. Bazza.

emily89 · #3 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 02:29 PM

thank you a lot! i love this forum

Esfa · #4 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 02:41 PM

Common Names: Red belly Piranha, Red bellied Piranha, Red piranha

Scientific Name: Pygocentrus nattereri

Family: Characidae, subfamily Serrasalminae

Maximum Size: Up to 18 inches in the wild, aquarium specimens normally wont exceed 12 inches.

Origins: Various rivers in South America, especially in the Brazil. Unfortunatly, there have been many Red bellies introduced (and thriving) in warmer waters in Florida and other warm places by irresponsible owners.

Care: Red bellies are a remarkably hardy species. At least a 75 US gallon tank is needed to house red bellies. Despite their size, you can home up to 4 specimens in a single 75 gallon tank. Frequent water changes are neccesarry. These are a shoaling fish, so keep in groups of at least 4. Provide at least 20 gallons of water per fish. These guys are huge eaters, so awesome filtration is essential. Temperatures should be stable between 75 and 85 degrees. pH should remain between 6-7.5 though slightly acidic around 6.7 is best. Often inhabits peat stained waters, so the addition of peat or blackwater extract would not do any harm, but is not vitally important. Fast flowing waters replicate natural environment. Dim lighting is appreciated. Like most piranhas, requires high oxygen levels.

Feeding: Has a huge appetite. These guys are not picky eaters, though when first purchased, it may be difficult to switch from live foods. The majority of the diet (about half) should be fish. Live fish are preferred but frozen silversides or other frozen fish are readily accepted. Be sure that if live fish are being used that they must be quarantined for at least 2 weeks and look healthy and disease free before being offered as food. Supplement with other meaty foods like squid, earthworms, bloodworms, shrimp, and other similar food items. Not being picky eaters, they will readily accept carnivorus pellet/sticks.

Breeding: Breeding red-bellied piranhas has only been accomplished a couple of times in captivity. Though for the lucky few who have bred them succesfully, have found that they are quite prolific.

Comments: Two varieties exist, the "regular" red belly and the super redbelly. Normally, the only difference is that the belly of the super red is a much more vibrant rich red. Red bellies won't normally bite, but if you're not careful they can. Like most piranhas, this species can be skittish at times. By far the most common piranha, the red-belly can commonly be purchased at 1 inch in length. Its best to only house them with other red bellies.

emily89 · #5 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 02:45 PM

thank you!!!!

HABU · #6 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 02:53 PM

i've kept them a few times... one guy on here is really into them....i forget his name...

emily89 · #7 (**permalink**) 20-04-2008, 02:58 PM

yea they are just something different to keep, ive only ever had goldfish but my OH has experience!

bullet tooth t0ny · #8 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 10:13 AM

to be honest i have found that loads of people give up there piranah after a short time.i ask them why and they always say they are boring and they dont do anything.people seem to buy piranah cos they think they are a dangerous fish looking to rip something apart.this is not the case with them,in the right condition they are a very laid back fish.at time you dont get a lot of movement out of them

i would have a good think about it,i see so many poor piranah being returned to the shop cos people think they have a bad rep.if you do want something that is not that laid back i would try an oscar.

Sziren · #9 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullet tooth t0ny

to be honest i have found that loads of people give up there piranah after a short time.i ask them why and they always say they are boring and they dont do anything.people seem to buy piranah cos they think they are a dangerous fish looking to rip something apart.this is not the case with them,in the right condition they are a very laid back fish.at time you dont get a lot of movement out of them

i would have a good think about it,i see so many poor piranah being returned to the shop cos people think they have a bad rep.if you do want something that is not that laid back i would try an oscar.

Totally agree!
I have two at the moment, but have to move them on, however please note not for the above reason. I planned on getting them a big tank, but am now unable to re-inforce the floor to carry the weight of the new tank.

They are very laid back and at times shy, but I think they have great personalities - will miss them sorely but can't justify keeping them in a tank that's too small.

Sid.lola · #10 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 01:22 PM

we have three but they're bubbas and we're still learning ourselves!

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