Red-bellied Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) Care Guide

The most iconic piranha species with a silvery body, red-orange belly, and powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. Despite their fearsome reputation, they are often shy in aquariums.

Overview

Pygocentrus nattereri is a species in the family Serrasalmidae. The most iconic piranha species with a silvery body, red-orange belly, and powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. Despite their fearsome reputation, they are often shy in aquariums. Must be kept in species-only groups in very large tanks.

Taxonomy

Family: Serrasalmidae
Genus: Pygocentrus
Scientific name: Pygocentrus nattereri
Other names: Red Piranha, Natterer's Piranha
Origin: South America, Amazon Basin, Paraguay

Habitat

Pygocentrus nattereri is a shoaling characin from the Amazon and Paraguay basins of South America. It inhabits slow rivers and floodplains and is an opportunistic predator and scavenger; it shoals partly for protection rather than coordinated hunting.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 400 L
Temperature: 24-28 °C
pH: 5.5-7.5
GH: 4-18 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 20-33 cm
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Recommended group size: ≥ 5
Difficulty: advanced

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 1x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: aggressive
Position in tank: middle
Compatible tank mates: Other Red-bellied Piranhas
Avoid with: Any Other Species

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: advanced