| Piranha |
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| Scientific classification |
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| Species |
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Catoprion mento
Citharinus citharus citharus
Metynnis maculatus
Pristobrycon aureus
Pristobrycon aureus
Pristobrycon calmoni
Pristobrycon calmoni
Pristobrycon calmoni
Pristobrycon striolatus
Pristobrycon striolatus
Pygocentrus cariba
Pygocentrus cariba
Pygocentrus nattereri
Pygocentrus piraya
Pygopristis denticulata
Pygopristis denticulata
Serrasalmus altispinis
Serrasalmus altuvei
Serrasalmus brandti
Serrasalmus compressus
Serrasalmus eigenmanni
Serrasalmus elongatus
Serrasalmus elongatus
Serrasalmus geryi
Serrasalmus gibbus
Serrasalmus gouldingi
Serrasalmus hastatus
Serrasalmus hollandi
Serrasalmus humeralis
Serrasalmus humeralis
Serrasalmus irritans
Serrasalmus irritans
Serrasalmus maculatus
Serrasalmus maculatus
Serrasalmus manueli
Serrasalmus marginatus
Serrasalmus medinai
Serrasalmus medinai
Serrasalmus medinai
Serrasalmus nalseni
Serrasalmus neveriensis
Serrasalmus nigricans
Serrasalmus rhombeus
Serrasalmus rhombeus
Serrasalmus rhombeus
Serrasalmus rhombeus
Serrasalmus sanchezi
Serrasalmus serrulatus
Serrasalmus spilopleura
Ref: FishBase 2004-03-24
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For the armoured vehicle, see Piranha vehicle
The piranha or piraña (pronounced (in IPA) is a carnivorous freshwater fish living in South American rivers. It belongs to the family of serrasalmus and Pygocentrus . They are normally about 15 to 25 cm long (6 to 10 inches) long, although reportedly individuals have been found up to 40 cm in length. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. The flesh-eating variety are only known to live in the Amazonian and Paraguayan river systems.
Piranhas pose no threat to humans, and human attacks are extremely seldom. Natives frequently swim in piranha infested water without attacks or scratches. It is not recommended to swim where piranha live in drought season because of increased aggressiveness caused by less food availability.
The name 'piranha' may come from a hybrid language composed of Tupi-Guarani languages; it may be a compound word made of the components 'pirá', meaning 'fish', and 'sanha' or 'ranha', meaning 'tooth'. Alternately, it may come from Tupi 'pirá' ('fish') and 'ánha' ('cut').
In the Maroni river in French Guyana a large kind, weighing up to five kilograms, can be found; it seems to be an herbivore. This species hosts colonies of worms in its stomach.
External links
- http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/About_the_Genera.html
References
Last updated: 08-25-2005 15:26:33
