Are Piranhas Dangerous?

Question: Are Piranhas Dangerous?
Answer: A really hungry Piranha will bite most anything, even his own kin. However, Piranha normally feasts on other species of fish or wounded animals -- not humans. In fact, more piranhas are eaten by people then people are eaten by piranhas. Although I haven't had the pleasure of eating piranha myself, people in some areas of South America eat them regularly and say they are quite tasty.

How Dangerous Are They?
Fish expert, Dr. Axelrod, once stated on network television that piranhas are not dangerous to people. Later he was dared to prove it, and prove it he did. He waded into piranha infested waters wearing only swim trunks. Placing a large piece of meat on a fishhook, he dangled it in the water and waited to see what happened. The piranha tore into the meat but not Dr. Axelrod. Although I wouldn't recommend reaching in the tank to pet your piranha, as long as they are well fed they aren't likely to bite you.

Are Piranhas Legal?
Even though piranhas are not endangering humans, they do present a danger to native fish. For that reason many states restrict importing, breeding, or even keeping them in an aquarium. Why? Unfortunately people have, and will, dump fish they don't want into rivers or lakes. A piranha tossed into river or lake an easily fish that are supposed to live there, thus damaging the ecology.

Should You Keep Them?
Piranhas are not the most ideal aquarium fish. They can't be kept with other fish, because they would eat them. Unless your tank is bare, you won't see them out and about often, because they are rather skittish and hide a good deal of the time. Feeding time is when you will see the most action, and even then they may wait for you to leave the room before they feed.

If you are serious about wanting to keep piranha, study what they need to stay healthy. Piranhas are carnivores that prefer their food live. They need a quiet habitat with places to hide, and should not be kept with other fish, even their own species. Because of the danger they present to local habitats, piranhas are not legal in many states, so check your local laws before trying to bring one home.
By Shirlie Sharpe, About.com

Piranhas

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There are many varieties of carnivorous Piranhas, from the large greatly feared Pygocentrus piraya found in the lower Amazon, the aggressive Pygocentrus cariba found in the Rio Orinoco and Lago del Guarico, Serrasalmus spilopleura in the Amazon River and its tributaries, Rio Parana, and Rio Paraguay, to the everchanging Serrasalmus rhombeus of the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin, and Guianas, and others.

They are known by their colors: red, white, yellow, lime, violet, blue and black. They are fresh-water fish, live and hunt in packs, and are known for their sharp teeth, feeding frenzies and food-capturing techniques. Piranhas are also kept in aquariums, with care.

Legend and lore proclaim piranhas will attack a human, or anything bleeding in the water. It is true they feed on injured animals and fish, attacking in a pack and consuming flesh rapidly. Some species reach up to to five pounds.

RED Piranah

This mounted red piranah was bought on the Amazon River.

Red Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)(picture) are a native fish of the Amazon River Basin in South America and are notorious for their feeding habits.

• Red Piranha Description - Oval shapped body with a blunt head. The lower jaw sticks out and both jaws have a sinle row of teeth. They have a red belly from which they get their name.

• Red Piranha Size - Average size is six to ten inches long weighing 1/2 to 2 pounds but some have been caught that weighed nine pounds and were 13 inches long.

• Red Piranha Distribution - Native to the Amazon River basin and the Parana River Basin in South America

• What Red Piranha Eat - Carnivores, they will eat any kind of meat from insects to animals in the water.

• Eating Red Piranha - Red Piranha are very good to eat and are highly sought after as a food source.

• Catching Red Piranha - They will hit a variety of live and artificial baits, often attacking plugs bigger than they are.

• Red Piranha Problems - they are a danger to swimmers and livestock in the rivers but not a serious problem. It is rare for them to attack a big animal or person unless there is blood in the water.

Piranha are shown in movies running in big schools and eating everything in the water. That is true, to some extent, but people in the areas where they live swim in waters with them. Unless there is blood in the water they are not likely to attack a person. There are several kinds of piranha but the Red Piranha are the ones of movie fame that eat everything in the water.

Information About Red Piranha:By Ronnie Garrison, About.com