Piraya Piranha Care Guide
Pygocentrus piraya is the largest piranha species, endemic to the São Francisco River basin in Brazil and kept only in very large tanks.
Overview
Pygocentrus piraya is a serrasalmid fish endemic to the São Francisco River basin in Brazil. It is recognised as the largest of the piranhas, with a yellow to orange belly and silver flanks. The species was described by Cuvier in 1819 and is kept only by experienced aquarists in very large aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serrasalmidae
- Genus: Pygocentrus
- Scientific name: Pygocentrus piraya
- Order: Characiformes
Habitat
The species is endemic to the São Francisco River basin in eastern Brazil, where it inhabits freshwater channels of this isolated drainage. FishBase classifies it as a tropical, pelagic freshwater fish occupying open water of the river system.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- School size: 4 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet
Pygocentrus piraya is a predatory carnivore. In the wild it takes mainly small fish and insects, supplemented by seeds and plant material, placing it at an upper-middle trophic level around 3.7 according to FishBase. In captivity it is fed meaty foods two times daily.
Compatibility
This is an aggressive, middle-water schooling predator that shows heightened aggression when hungry or stressed. It is best kept in a single-species group of its own kind; small or slow tankmates are eaten and should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. FishBase notes high resilience with a minimum population doubling time of less than 15 months.