Red piranha
Pygocentrus nattereri
Where at Shedd?
Amazon Rising
| Diet | Fish, insects and worms |
|---|---|
| Size | Length: Up to 16 inches (40 cm) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | South America |
| Habitat | Found throughout much of South America |
About the Red piranha
The word "piranha" translates to "tooth fish" in the Brazilian language Tupí, and these South American fish have some impressive jaws!
Did you know?
- Red-bellied piranhas hunt in “packs.” Anywhere from a dozen to 100 piranhas work together to find and kill prey.
- During a hunt, a couple of piranhas take the lead in the attack. Then other piranhas move in, each taking a bite or two.
- Male piranhas sometimes guard the eggs after fertilization until the eggs are hatched.