Red Bellied Piranha in Captivity.

Scientific name:
Pygocentrus nattereri

Synonyms:
Pygocentrus ternetzi, Pygocentrus stigmaterythraeus, Rooseveltiella nattereri, Serrasalmo piranha, Serrasalmo ternetzi, Serrasalmus nattereri, Serrasalmus ternetzi.

Common names:
Piranha, Natterer Piranha, Red Piranha, Red Breasted Piranha, Red, Redbelly, RBP.
The indigenous population call this species (Redbelly variation) Piranha Vermilla in Brazil, and Piranha Roja in Peru, both names mean Red Piranha.

The yellow-bellied variant is also known under the names: Gold Dust Piranha, Yellow King Emperor Piranha, Ternetzi Piranha, Ternetzi, Tern.

Distribution:
They are found in the rivers of central and southern South America east of the Andes and including the coastal rivers of the Guiana´s and Brazil. In the northeast region of Brazil, there have been introductions into the small human-made lakes common there. Although ecological details are often lacking from collections, it appears that the species is extremely rare in black water rivers.

Appearance & Morphology (Body Characteristics)
Body shape similar to Pygocentrus cariba and Pygocentrus piraya.
Red-orange-yellow color forms, the coloration of the belly does not extend past the flank lateral line. Head and lower jaw shape is blunt, bulldog appearance.

Color of Life
Extremely variable in belly coloration, body spotting (includes reticulated pattern and non-spotting within same regions). Eye color normally has reddish tint to none, dependant on locality.

A quick visual reference to identify this fish
· Usually red eyes (some forms have clear eyes)
· Belly coloration never extends above lateral line
· Convex headshape

Maximum Size
Approx. 40 cm. (16") TL.(Total Length).
Specimen over 30 cm. (12") TL are very rare.

Sexing
Not sexually dimorphic: males and females look similar.

Care in Captivity.
Minimum Aquarium size
For a group of 3-4 fish, you need a tank of at least 120x50x50 cm. (48x20x20").
Each extra fish requires an additional 6-8" in tank length, with 6 fish or more a tank depth of 60 cm. (24") is highly recommended.
Juvenile fish can temporarily be kept in smaller tanks.

Aquarium Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed & preferably use a BlueMoon tube which is naturally soft and gentle compared to the normal bright flourescent aquarium lights.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Extremely dangerous to hands and other extremities. Care is required in handling and it´s preferable to feed a day before any aquarium maintennace is carried out...keep an eye on fish at ALL times,whilst carrying out any maintenance.

Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).

Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred. (Remember they live is peaty murky water in the wild Amazon).

Compatible Species
Extremely dangerous.
May shoal with same species and in few instances with members of same genus,but DO NOT attempt to mix in other tropicals with them!.

Breeding
Few instances of captive breeding.
Probably one of the more prolific species of piranha, especially if aquarium´s water temperature is raised.

Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), prawns, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mammal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
On rare occasions this species accepts vegetables, nuts seeds or fruit as well.

It is ILLEGAL in this country to feed Piranha LIVE food,plus it also carries a health risk to them via the food source.

Health
Normally very healthy fish with no real health issues,BUT they do not tolerate any fish treatment that contain´s Malachite Green,this is very toxic to Piranha.