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A piranha or piraña (/ p ɪ ˈ r ɑː n j ə ˌ-r æ n /, or / p ɪ ˈ r ɑː n ə /; Portuguese: [piˈɾɐ̃ɲɐ], Spanish:) is any of a number of freshwater fish species in the family Serrasalmidae, [1] or the subfamily Serrasalminae within the tetra family, Characidae [2] in order Characiformes.
The black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus), also known as the redeye piranha, white piranha, spotted piranha or yellow piranha, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a piranha from the family Serrasalmidae. It is found in northern South America. It is the type species of the genus Serrasalmus.
The red-bellied piranha, also known as the red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), is a type of piranha native to South America, found in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná and Essequibo basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. [2] [3] This fish is locally abundant in its freshwater habitat. [4]
Pygopristis denticulata, also known as the lobetoothed piranha, is a species of piranha. [1] It is a rare South American characiform fish found in the Orinoco River basin, rivers of the northern and eastern Guiana Shield, and tributaries of the lower Amazon River. [2]
This fish is an omnivore, and has aggressive tendencies when hungry, stressed, or seeking live food. Like most in the Serrasalmidae family, piraya piranhas dental morphology has a major influence for their inclination toward piscivorous and herbivorous behavior [3].
It includes more than 90 species. The name means "serrated salmon family", which refers to the serrated keel running along the belly of these fish. Fish classified as Serrasalmidae are also known by these common names: pacu, piranha, and silver dollar. These common names generally designate differing dental characteristics and feeding habits. [2]
The word piranha itself is a Portuguese merging of words originating in the Tupi language and may have several meanings including "tooth fish", [5] "cutting fish", "devil fish" [6] or "biting fish". [7] The species name was chosen to reflect Megapiranha's place of origin near the city of Paraná. [4]
It is a solitary species of piranha contrary to the social lifestyle of the much popular red-bellied piranha. As with all other piranhas, it is one of the hardest biting creatures on the planet relative to the body weight. This is a popular fish among aquarium hobbyists, although not as much as their red bellied or black piranha counterparts.