Many people decide to buy piranhas to keep in their personal aquarium. Some are attracted by the appearance of danger and mystery that surrounds these fish, while others simply find them attractive and good specimens to have as exotic pets.
However, few fans know how Distinguishing between a true piranha and a false piranha, also known as pacus. Pacus belong to the same family as piranhas, Serrasalmidae, and they have a similar physical appearance. They are fish native to tropical climates, but there are key differences that distinguish them from true piranhas in terms of behavior and characteristics.
False species of piranhas
Among the vast group of species that are confused with piranhas are the pacus. Although visually intimidating, pacus are usually calmer. Within this group, we find several notable species:
- Red Piranha: This is the smallest of the pacu varieties. This species can reach a height of 70 centimeters long and has a vivid orange color on its abdomen, which gives it the name red piranha.
- Black piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus): This species is highly appreciated by hobbyists due to its longevity and size. They can grow to be over 100 meters long. One meter and a half when mature and are usually black or dark grey in colour.
General characteristics of pacus
Something typical of the pacu piranhas The large size of their eyes often gives the impression that they have excellent vision. However, the reality is different, as these fish do not have a great visual capacity, but they compensate for this lack with a highly developed sense of smell.
If you decide to keep pacus or piranhas in your aquarium, it is crucial to take into account their size and behavior. As for piranhas, it is recommended that the species acquired measure between 30 and 35 centimeters when they arrive at the aquarium, since one of the advantages of having this type of fish is being able to observe its growth over time.
Basic care for piranhas in aquariums
The correct management of a piranha aquarium requires certain specific considerations to ensure the health and well-being of these fish. These considerations include the size of the aquarium, the number of specimens to be kept, the feeding and the characteristics of the water.
Size and number of piranhas in the aquarium
Although piranhas are sociable animals in their natural habitat, in captivity they can develop aggressive behavior if they do not have adequate space. If we decide introducing several piranhas into the same aquariumIt is recommended to keep a maximum of six specimens. In a very small space, the concentration of individuals can lead to aggressive and even deadly behavior. It is very common for poorly fed piranhas to end up attacking other fish, including individuals of the same species.
An example of this behavior is when a dominant, stronger and well-fed piranha may attack and devour a weaker specimen if not enough food is provided.
Ideal water conditions
Piranhas require a very careful environment with regard to the quality of the water. A piranha aquarium must have a high-capacity filtration system to keep the water clean and free of ammonia, nitrates and other harmful substances that accumulate due to food leftovers. These fish, being carnivorous, generate a large amount of waste in the water, which can alter the levels of toxic compounds.
The ideal temperature for an aquarium that houses piranhas ranges between 24 ° C and 29 ° CAs for pH values, piranhas prefer slightly acidic environments, ranging between a pH of 5.5 to 7.0.
It is also important to consider that these fish come from waters with low light levelsIn their natural environment, they live in streams and tributaries with thick vegetation that reduces the amount of light reaching the bottom. Therefore, it is recommended that the aquarium be provided with soft lighting and a good amount of aquatic plants that provide hiding places and reduce the intensity of the light.
Feeding of piranhas
In their natural habitat, piranhas have a varied diet and their feeding habits include hunting de peces live, although they also consume carrion and, occasionally, fruits and seeds that fall from trees. In captivity, it is necessary to replicate this variety of foods to keep them healthy.
The live foods They are a common choice, but it is important to avoid using them de peces small fish as food as they can bring diseases to the aquarium. Safer alternatives include frozen fish pieces, shrimp or pieces of seafood that contain enough nutrients. Additionally, it is important to include occasional fruits and vegetables in their diet to mimic the nutrients they would get in nature.
It is recommended to feed the piranhas every two days, as they are fish that prefer a large meal and then periods of digestion. One tip for keepers is to avoid overfeeding them, as excess food can lead to health problems and build up waste in the water.
Compatibility of piranhas with other fish
Despite piranhas' reputation as aggressive predators, it is possible to keep them with other fish in an aquarium, provided the right species are chosen. However, this is not without risks.
Inside the aquarium, piranhas will live better with species of similar or larger size. South American Cichlids to armored catfish are good candidates to share space with them. However, there must be enough space for each species to have its own territory.
Another strategy to avoid attacks is to introduce fish from small size that are too small for piranhas to consider as prey, such as small tetras or danios. However, there is no guarantee that piranhas will not attack them eventually.
Breeding in captivity
As for breeding piranhas, it is something that can be done in well-kept aquariums with adequate space. During the mating season, females deposit between 1000 and 5000 eggs in cavities prepared by the males in the substrate. The yellowish eggs hatch after about 36 hours.
Males are especially protective of their young, guarding the nest constantly until the newborns are big enough to swim and fend for themselves. To prevent cannibalistic behavior among juvenile piranhas, it is important to feed them live prey and separate the individuals by size.
Is it advisable to keep piranhas?
While piranhas have a reputation for being dangerous creatures, it should be noted that most species in captivity do not pose a significant risk if handled correctly. Also, while it is not advisable to put your hand in the aquarium, Piranhas in home aquariums are generally shy. and not very aggressive towards humans.
Keeping piranhas can be a fascinating experience as long as you have the resources and knowledge to care for them properly. It is important not to acquire them simply because of their reputation as predators and to ensure that their well-being is a priority.
With adequate space, proper nutrition, and an aquarium that replicates their natural environment, piranhas can live up to 30 years in captivity, providing a unique experience for aquarium hobbyists.