Red-bellied piranha
Pygocentrus nattereri
The famous Amazon predator, rather nervous in a tank; grows to about 14 inches and needs a huge species-only aquarium.
Key facts
- Body length
- 13.8 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 403 gallons
- Group
- 5+
- Temperament
- Predatory
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Carnivore pellets, frozen fish and seafood
- Origin
- South America
- Hardier than22%
- Bigger than94%
- Calmer than5%
Water: their range vs yours
Red-bellied piranha tank mates
- Assassin snailRed-bellied piranha eats snails: Assassin snail (PROP).Risky
- Bladder snailRed-bellied piranha (predatory) will bully the peaceful Bladder snail.Risky
- Malaysian trumpet snailRed-bellied piranha (predatory) will bully the peaceful Malaysian trumpet snail.Risky
- Mystery snailRed-bellied piranha eats snails: Mystery snail (PROP).Risky
- Ramshorn snailRed-bellied piranha eats snails: Great ramshorn snail (PROP).Risky
- Colombian ramshornRed-bellied piranha eats snails: Colombian ramshorn (PROP).Risky
- Neon tetraRed-bellied piranha can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraRed-bellied piranha can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
- Fancy guppyRed-bellied piranha can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
- Panda corydorasRed-bellied piranha can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
- OtocinclusRed-bellied piranha can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpRed-bellied piranha can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for red-bellied piranhas: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 35 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 3277.17 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 217.36 BU
- Min. water
- 1296 L net
- Min. footprint
- 240 × 90 cm per group
- Group
- 5+ (best 5)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- deep bodied, normal fins
- Diet type
- carnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Pygocentrus nattereri · FishBase: Pygocentrus nattereri
Care notes
Red-bellied piranhas come from South America. In aquariums they are more skittish than fierce, but juveniles become increasingly cannibalistic as they grow.
Keep one fish or a group of five or more in a tank around 300 gallons with an 8 by 3 foot footprint, with no other species. Small fish and shrimp will be eaten; do not feed live feeder fish or mammal and bird meat.
Questions
What size tank does a red-bellied piranha need?
At least 403 gallons (1296 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 13.8 inches without fins.
How many red-bellied piranhas should be kept together?
Keep at least 5, ideally 5 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do red-bellied piranhas need?
75–81 °F, pH 5.5–7.5 and 2–12 dGH. Red-bellied piranhas come from South America.
How long do red-bellied piranhas live?
Not well documented with good care.