Piranha fish | Facts & Information

# Piranha Fish | Facts & Information

Piranha Fish | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Piranha Fish

The first to ever study a piranha fish was Aristotle, who called it Acitipmat Anaoi (ruthless flow). Aristotle was impressed by the behavior of this fish and used it as the inspiration for some of his many tragedies.

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Piranha Fish

Piranha Fish

The Piranha Fish: Terror of South American Waters

The piranha fish is a fascinating and, at the same time, frightening animal that originates from the river basins of South America. These creatures have been the subject of many stories and legends throughout the past century and have often been portrayed as dangerous and violent beings. However, despite their reputation, piranhas play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are considered a fascinating species for researchers and animal lovers.

The piranha fish belongs to the Characidae family and there are over 60 known species. They are predominantly found in the river basins of South America, such as the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay. Piranhas are freshwater fish that are mainly found in tropical and subtropical waters with a warm climate.

One impressive aspect of piranhas is their dental system. These creatures have razor-sharp teeth, perfectly adapted for tearing and chewing prey. Among all fish species, piranhas likely have the strongest and sharpest teeth. They also have an extremely powerful jaw capable of crushing even the toughest objects.

Most species of piranhas are known for their aggressive behavior and carnivorous diet. They mainly feed on other fish, including those of the same species. Large groups of piranhas can attack in a short amount of time and completely strip a large prey, leaving only the bones. This behavior reveals their reputation as violent and bloody creatures.

However, it is important to note that not all species of piranhas are so aggressive. Some of them have a preferred omnivorous diet, feeding on aquatic vegetation and other small organisms in the water. This diversity in feeding behavior shows that piranhas are not just destructive creatures but intelligently adapted animals to their environment.

Another interesting aspect of piranhas is how they cooperate in organized groups. They live in large schools and are capable of coordinating attacks on prey. These groups can be so organized and efficient that they can devour a considerably-sized animal in a short amount of time. It is fascinating to observe how piranhas synchronize their movements and apply strategies to fulfill their food needs.

Although piranhas can be dangerous to humans, most incidents involving piranhas and people are rare and usually result from confusion or accidental stings. However, in certain situations, piranhas can be a real threat. For example, during the dry season, when water levels decrease, piranhas left in isolated pools can become aggressive and attack animals that have become trapped in these restricted spaces.

Furthermore, it should be mentioned that piranhas are vulnerable to the loss of their natural habitat due to deforestation and river pollution. Over the years, piranha populations have significantly declined, and some species are even on the verge of extinction. This is an important issue for the environment and requires severe conservation measures to protect and preserve piranha species.

In conclusion, the piranha fish is a fascinating animal that originates from the river basins of South America. It is known for its reputation as a violent and bloody creature. However, there is a variety of piranha species, some of which have an omnivorous feeding behavior and do not exhibit aggression towards humans. Piranhas cooperate in organized groups and are capable of efficiently attacking and devouring prey. However, despite their reputation, piranhas are vulnerable and require conservation measures to protect their habitat and ensure their survival in South American aquatic ecosystems.

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Facts

Origin

Piranha fish (Pygocentrus) live in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Barents Sea, the White Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and other southern seas. It also inhabits the Pacific Ocean (near mainland Australia).

Piranhas or piranas are known for their fierce appearance and for their voracity when attacking their victims. In Venezuela it is also called caribes.

Their name comes from Guarani, a local South American dialect, which means fish with teeth (pira= fish, ranha=tooth) or fish-devil (ANHA= devil). The name does not seem at all an exaggeration if we consider that, most of the time, piranha has been described as a ferocious killer, who by force of number manages to bring down even the largest animals.

Currently, it is estimated that there are about 20 species of piranhas, most of which are located in the Amazon basin, although in recent years, more specimens have also been caught in the US.

As a totem, the piranha fish embodies the African hulungupangese God Of War Ka'kakunra (Hat), a deity detested because of its ferocity by local communities but still lacking a cult of religious content.

Piranha Food

Although it does not exceed 15-25 cm ( very rarely reaches 40-45 cm), piranha has gained a reputation as a notorious killer, this is also due to the fact that it can devour in a few seconds creatures much larger than it, most of the time, doing so while the prey is still alive. In fact, piranhas do not back down from consuming their fellows and even their young when food resources are significantly reduced.

Appearance Piranha

Piranhas are a species of carnivorous, cartilaginous and homeothermic fish. They are about 90-100 centimeters long and are very dangerous. These fish, due to their cartilaginous skeleton, composed of a very large number of bone phalanges in the number of 12, connected by several inter-Bony collars, belong to the superclass of telostean fish (along with sharks and casalots).

The appearance differs depending on the species. For example, the species Pygocentrus nattereri is reddish or blue and flattened, while the fish of the species Pygocentrus cariba, otherwise the most widespread and best known species on our earth are gray and slightly elongated.

Other piranhas are black. Piranha fish breathe through a system of gills and trachea.

They have hydro-dynamic form. They are slightly flattened due to the fact that they can live at very great depths (some have even been found at depths of over 12,000 meters, at Aquatic pressures of almost 101,325 Newtons).

The cod fin is hydro-dynamic and has 2 lobes in size and size, thus being asymmetrical. It helps this species of fish to swim at very great depths. Lateral and visceral flippers are also hydro-dynamic and are popularly called shovels (eit'sorpe in the language of Mycenaean natives of Africa).

The scales have a pigment called lysozyme and are very shiny and adapted to very large depths.

Their bite is deadly because it contains a toxic substance called pyridoxine nitrogen, widely used today in medicine as a catalyst in the separation of conclusive enzymes. Pirahna fish have five rows of sharp and blunt, well-developed teeth. The survival of the bitten depends on the timely application of the appropriate treatment. They are especially dangerous in the presence of blood.

Piranha Behavior

In the opinion of researchers from the University of St. Petersburg. Andrews in the UK, little killers are actually omnivores, their diet is generally made up of plants, crustaceans, fish and insects. They are also scavengers, say the same researchers, with most species eating animal leashes or even dying animals.

The truth is that of all known species, only three or four can pose a potential danger. The most feared species is Pygocentrus nattereri or red-bellied piranha.

The fact that they live and feed in Shoals has long been considered a behavior designed to aid them in hunting, especially in shooting down larger victims. In reality, this is a very defensive behavior, experts say.

It is known that piranha fish is in the menu of many species: Dolphins, caimans, some species of batlans, arapaima or pirarucu (amazonian fish that can reach up to 3 meters long and 200 Kg) and, last but not least, man.

Laboratory and natural studies of piranhas show that they are fearsome rather than natural killers, as thought. Piranhas prefer dark places that abound in vegetation, only coming to light during feeding periods.

Although they are still considered a very dangerous species, many South American natives hunt piranhas both for their meat and especially for the teeth from which they make amulets, utensils and weapons. More recently, piranhas are dried and sold as souvenirs to tourists, which can have serious repercussions on the future of the species.

Piranha Breeding

They lay pots in the depths of the water and hatch them for 3-4 months, the period called "Pirahna season" in which they are harmless. They're hectic.

Piranha fish is hermafordit, in other words it does not show sexual dimorphism, but not all species of the Pygocentrus class have this characteristic. In this case, the male and the female mate after a mating ceremony: the male borrows more vivid colors acquiring shades of red and orange (usually, throughout the year, the male shows more stringent colors, more imperious).

The breeding season is in May and June.

Piranha species

Pygocentrus cariba

Pygocentrus natterei

Pygocentrus nattereri (red-bellied Piranha also called "Red Death")

Pygocentrus piraya (Piraya)

Serrasalmus piraya (San Francisco Piranha or Piraya Piranha)

Serrasalmus rhombeus (Black Piranha)

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