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Piranhas are "basically like regular fish with large teeth". [19] A few other species may also occur in large groups, while the remaining are solitary or found in small groups. [3] Although popularly described as highly predatory and primarily feeding on fish, piranha diets vary extensively, [3] leading to their classification as omnivorous. [4]
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]
This characteristic combined with its large size make it a danger to humans. Piranha's attacks on humans are anecdotal for the most part. The piranha mostly prefers to eat small fish and insects, along with seeds and aquatic plant material. The pygocentrus piraya plays a key role in their ecosystem by regulating the population of other fish [5]
Like most fish, when the wimple piranha feeds on small fish or scales floating in the water, it uses suction feeding. However, to feed on scales attached to fish, it uses ram feeding, where the predator will charge at the fish; the force of this collision actually knocks scales free. The teeth are used to scrape scales from the body.
To emphasize the diversity of diets, authors commonly highlight the fruit- and leaf-eating pacus and the highly carnivorous piranhas. Most in the family other than piranhas are primarily herbivorous. In contrast, piranhas have been long believed to be strict carnivores. [4] Many species change diets depending on age and resource availability. [4]
Serrasalmus geryi, known as the violet line piranha or Gery's piranha, is a species of piranha of the family Serrasalmidae. It is found in the lower Tocantins and Araguaia Rivers of Brazil . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The species is notable for being the one of only the members of the genus Serrasalmus that can coexist with others of the same species in ...
Pygocentrus cariba or black spot piranha is a species of piranha endemic to Venezuela and Colombia; specifically, to the Orinoco River basin lowlands and the Llanos region. This species can reach a total length of 27.9 centimetres (11.0 in). It is popular as a game fish. [2]
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 ]