Piranha

Last updated: May 27, 2024
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

Have lived in South America for millions of years


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Piranha Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Characiformes
Family
Characidae

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Piranha Conservation Status

Piranha Locations

Piranha Locations

Piranha Facts

Main Prey
Insects, carrion, fish, crustaceans, worms
Group Behavior
  • School
Fun Fact
Have lived in South America for millions of years
Estimated Population Size
Unknown
Biggest Threat
Other animals
Most Distinctive Feature
Strong bony jaws with finely serrated teeth
Distinctive Feature
Rounded head and a single row and triangular teeth
Other Name(s)
Caribe or piraya
Gestation Period
4 to 6 weeks
Optimum pH Level
6.5 and 7.8
Habitat
Rivers, floodplains, lakes and reservoirs
Predators
Dolphins, crocodiles, birds, turtles, humans
Diet
Omnivore
Favorite Food
Fish
Type
Characids
Common Name
Piranha
Average Clutch Size
5000
Slogan
Generally found in fast-flowing streams!

Piranha Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Red
  • Black
  • Multi-colored
Skin Type
Scales
Top Speed
-3 mph
Lifespan
10 years
Weight
Up to 3 to 7 pounds
Length
6 to 8 inches average

View all of the Piranha images!



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Piranha is the common name used to refer to any of potentially over 60 species of freshwater fish with razor-sharp teeth.

Piranhas have a nasty reputation for being fierce creatures that engage in deadly feeding frenzies. However, they actually eat a wide variety of food, including plants and carrion. Piranhas are fairly small, usually under two feet, and typically travel in groups called shoals.

Piranha infographic
Piranhas can regrow there teeth.

5 Incredible Piranha Facts!

  • This fish’s aggressive reputation is highly exaggerated, in part due to Theodore Roosevelt’s book “Through the Brazilian Wilderness.”
  • These fish may get more aggressive when they are starving. If stuck in a stagnant pool for a long time, they will likely attack anything that enters the water.
  • The black piranha has the most powerful bite force of any bony fish.
  • The fish’s top and bottom teeth function like scissors to quickly tear and cut food.
  • Piranhas lose and regrow teeth endlessly like sharks.

You can check out more incredible facts about piranhas.

Classification and Scientific name

Piranha is the common name for various species of fish within the family Serrasalmidae or the subfamily Serrasalminae that are also in the tetra family Characidae of the Characiformes order. Piranha species are found in several genera, including:

  • Catoprion
  • Pristobrycon
  • Pygocentrus
  • Pygopristis
  • Serrasalmus

These fish species are sometimes called caribe or piraya. Some specific species scientific names include the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), the lobetooth piranha (Pygocentrus denticulata), the San Francisco piranha (Pygocentrus piraya) and the black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus).

Red-bellied piranha Pygocentrus nattereri or Red piranha in their habitat.

The scientific name for piranha is Pygocentrus.

Evolution

The discovery of the fossil Megapiranha paranensis has been a major breakthrough in understanding the evolution of piranhas. This 5-centimeter-long upper jawbone, with its zigzag arrangement of teeth, suggested that modern-day pacus and piranhas have one common ancestor. The fossil also revealed other features which helped scientists to estimate its size, which was much larger than any modern species at 3 feet long. In comparison, modern piranhas only reach 17 inches or so. It is worth noting that there are many misconceptions about how dangerous and aggressive piranhas really are. Contrary to popular belief, most species actually eat insects or plants rather than flesh and rarely attack humans if they can help it.

Piranha fish underwater

Modern day piranhas reach 17 inches long. Their prehistoric ancenstors were 3 feet long!

Types of Piranha

The exact number of species is unknown, but there are thought to be 30 to 60 or more. The most infamous species is the red-bellied piranha, which lives in South America and is primarily found in the Amazon River along with several other piranha species.

Some notable species facts include:

  • Red-bellied piranha: Found primarily in the Amazon River, this fish is the most infamous piranha species with the strongest jaws and sharpest teeth.
  • Black piranha: Also called a red-eye piranha, this fish is thought to be the largest species and is known for having the strongest bite relative to its body mass.
  • Lobetooth piranha: This species is also considered dangerous to humans and lives mainly in the Orinoco River basin and the lower Amazon tributaries.
  • San Francisco piranha: Found mainly in Brazil’s San Francisco River, this species is also capable of attacking large animals and humans, though it usually feeds on smaller animals.
  • Wimple piranha: This fish survives by snacking on other fish by nipping their fins and scales and then swimming away.
Largest Piranha - Redeye Piranhas

Some piranhas have red eyes.

Appearance

These fish’s coloring varies by species. For example, the red-bellied piranha is grayish with white speckles and a red belly. The black piranha is a uniform color of gray to nearly black with distinctive red eyes. Piranha species have a characteristic rhombus shape. They are typically between six and 13 inches long, but some species can be up to two feet in length. The weight of the fish doesn’t usually exceed 6.6 pounds. They have a recognizable jaw shape with large jaw muscles that are connected to the jaw tip, which makes it protrude slightly. The teeth of this fish are razor sharp and serrated, which makes them very adept at quickly tearing flesh.

piranha fish swims in the water

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

These are freshwater fish and are indigenous to the Amazon basin. Some species have been discovered in Bangladesh, China, and even the United States, but these are generally escapees from exotic fish traders. Many species are found only in a single river system, while others, like the red-bellied piranha, are found in several river systems in South America. Some species like murky, slow-moving water and are often found in very shallow water. However, other species live in deep river channels and turbid water.

These fish are widespread and not threatened. Small fish are mainly active during the day. Larger and medium-sized fish are active during several periods, including dawn, late afternoon, and night.

There is only a minor commercial fishery of these fish, as well as sport fishing. Some species are used as aquarium fish but are illegal in many areas as pets. They are considered a nuisance by fishers as they often steal bait, take fish off the line, and damage fishing gear.

Piranhas are freshwater fish native to the Amazon Basin.

Predators and Prey

Most species are opportunistic predators. They will eat nearly anything from plant life to other fish, insects, carrion, worms, and so on. Some species are adept at scale-eating and feed primarily by nipping off the scales or fins of other fish. This is more common with juvenile fish and smaller species. Piranhas also scavenge quite often.

What eats piranhas?

These fish are regularly eaten by just about anything larger than it, including turtles, crocodiles, other fish, dolphins, and many species of water birds. They are also hunted by humans and used as food fish, or their teeth are used for carving by various South American tribes.

What do piranhas eat?

These fish are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of food, including fruit, seeds, insects, and other fish. They may prey on large animals that come into their habitat by attacking as a group. A large enough group can quickly kill a fairly big animal. However, they do not normally travel in hunting groups, and they usually attack weak or injured animals.

Piranhas eat fish, crustaceans, insects, and algae.

Reproduction and Lifespan

The breeding habits of most species are relatively unknown. Most known breeding behavior has been observed in aquariums. These fish can usually breed by the time they are a year old. Females lay thousands of eggs near thick vegetation, to which the eggs stick. Males fertilize the eggs, and then the eggs hatch after two or three days. Young fish will hide in vegetation until they’re big enough to defend themselves. The parents will often defend their nesting sites by swimming around them. These fish may live up to ten years in captivity, but it’s unknown how long they live in the wild.

Piranha fish with his mouth open

Female piranhas lay thousands of eggs.

Fishing and Cooking

These fish have a minor commercial fishing interest and some recreational fishing interest as well. Catching them is fairly straightforward, but the main key is to have a wire-wrapped line above the hook. Fishers usually use bits of meat and actively thrash or plop the line to attract piranhas. The piranha will often quickly swipe the bait before it’s able to be pulled up. Handling the fish must be done very carefully, as they will bite. They also have sharp ridges on their undersides that can cut skin and inject bacteria.

These fish can be eaten and are usually grilled whole. They are mainly eaten in their native South America. The taste is described as very salty, fishy, and a bit ripe.

Piranha (Colossoma macropomum) in an aquarium on a green background

Population and Conservation

There is no global data on how many of these fish are left in the world. They are not listed as threatened or endangered by IUCN, CITES, or USFWS. New species are still being discovered. The status of all piranha species is currently listed as ‘least concern.’

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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

Piranha FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Piranhas herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Piranhas are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Piranhas belong to?

Piranhas belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Piranhas belong to?

Piranhas belong to the class Actinopterygii.

What phylum to Piranhas belong to?

Piranhas belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Piranhas belong to?

Piranhas belong to the family Characidae.

What order do Piranhas belong to?

Piranhas belong to the order Characiformes.

What type of covering do Piranhas have?

Piranhas are covered in scales.

What genus do Piranhas belong to?

Piranhas belong to the genus Piranha.

In what type of habitat do Piranhas live?

Piranhas live in fast-flowing rivers and the Amazon basin.

What is the main prey for Piranhas?

Piranhas eat fish, insects, snails, and plants.

What are some predators of Piranhas?

Predators of Piranhas include botos, crocodiles, and turtles.

What are some distinguishing features of Piranhas?

Piranhas have rounded heads and a single row and triangular teeth.

How many eggs do Piranhas lay?

Piranhas typically lay 5,000 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Piranhas?

Piranhas are generally found in fast-flowing streams!

What is the lifespan of a Piranha?

Piranhas can live for 20 to 25 years.

What is the optimal pH for a Piranha?

The optimal pH for a Piranha is between 6.0 and 8.0.

What is a piranha?

A piranha is a small to medium bony, freshwater fish that lives in South America.

What do piranhas eat?

Piranhas are omnivorous and opportunistic and will eat nearly anything plant or animal.

What eats piranhas?

Other fish, birds, reptiles, and humans will eat piranhas.

Can a piranha eat a human?

Despite their dangerous reputation, piranha attacks are rarely deadly. Piranhas travel in protective groups called shoals, but they rarely hunt in them. Feeding frenzies usually only happen when food is scarce. Piranhas may consume human corpses that end up in their habitat as they are notorious scavengers.

Where do piranhas live?

Piranhas are widespread throughout South America and live in many types of freshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, creeks, and stagnant pools.

Where are piranhas Found?

Piranhas are primarily found in freshwater areas of South America.

How do Piranhas have babies?

Piranhas lay eggs.

Piranhas vs Shark: Who Would Win in a Fight?

A shark would beat piranhas in a fight.

We can break this fight down any number of ways, but the piranhas would need to act abnormally to even stand a chance of killing a shark. A shark merely has to use its power and speed to tear them apart, even if it takes a little while.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

  1. Britannica / Accessed February 1, 2021
  2. Wikipedia / Accessed February 1, 2021
  3. Seaworld Parks & Entertainment / Accessed February 1, 2021
  4. Live Science / Accessed February 1, 2021
  5. Fish Base / Accessed February 1, 2021