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  • Red Bellied Piranha
Fish

Red Bellied Piranha

Scientific Name

Pygocentrus nattereri

Other Common Name(s)

Red-bellied Piranha, Red Piranha

Body Weight

Up to 3.5 kg

Body Length

Up to around 24 cm

Silhouette of a piranha fish and a human hand.
Several piranhas swimming in an aquarium with a pebbled bottom and rocky walls.

Habitat

Streams and ponds
River flowing through mountains

Diet

Fish, insects and other invertebrates, as well as plants
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.
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Fun Facts

  • Though portrayed as aggressive man eaters, they are very unlikely to attack humans.

  • Their sticky eggs are not only protected by a bowl-like nest, but also their defensive father.

    • A silvery-green fish with golden speckles and dark fins swims in water.
    School of piranhas with greenish-grey bodies and orange-red fins swimming in water.

    Distribution

    Northern to central South America, including countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Venezuela

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats

    • Forest fire with trees in the background.Forest fire with trees in the background.

      Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption

    • Factory with smokestack emitting smokeFactory with smokestack emitting smoke

      Pollution

    Pollution and dam construction impact the habitat of the red bellied piranha.

    Conservation

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    IUCN Red List

    • Least Concern

    Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

    Saving Species & Habitats

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    ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
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    Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

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