| Yup, you heard me right. Piranhas are the same | | | | freeze dried or even fresh vegetables. It is |
| kind of fish that are routinely shown in scary | | | | important to remember that Piranhas tend to |
| movies and Animal Planet programs as | | | | feed in frenzy. So when you offer food to your |
| carnivorous fish that live in South American | | | | fish, you should wait for them to eat it for a few |
| Rivers. These fish are members of the Tetra | | | | minutes. Any food left after that will probably not |
| group of fish and for anyone who has ever seen | | | | be eaten and can contaminate your tank. Be sure |
| a Piranha move, they can be quite dangerous. | | | | to remove that food immediately. You should also |
| They are also closely related to Pacu. Piranhas are | | | | remember to feed your Piranha about once a |
| illegal in a lot of countries and most states in | | | | day. |
| North America. | | | | Do not try to feed your Piranha Goldfish as these |
| When I was in college, one of my friends had a | | | | can cause diseases and do not make for a good |
| huge Piranha tank. I remember thinking that it | | | | food source anyway. Because Piranha eat a |
| was really cool especially when he would catch | | | | variety of food including raw meat, it is important |
| insects and just drop them in the tank and watch | | | | to keep your tank clean at all times. A good |
| the Piranha swim up and snatch up the tiny | | | | filtration system will go a long way. |
| morsel. | | | | Piranhas have been known to grow up to a foot |
| Pygocentrus Nattereri or the "Red Bellied" Piranha | | | | and half long and can live for several years. |
| is the most popular variety of Piranha. Piranhas | | | | Piranha can certainly make for interesting pets but |
| require at least a 50 gallon tank in which to thrive. | | | | they are carnivores and require special care. Many |
| They also need temperatures to be around 70 to | | | | people have been known to mess around and put |
| 80 degrees Fahrenheit as they are warm water | | | | their hands inside Piranha tanks only to have their |
| fish. Other recommended aquarium accessories | | | | fingers bitten off. It is important to understand |
| include a biowheel and a lot of aquarium gravel. | | | | that these are wild animals and are illegal in a lot |
| You Piranha should be fed flake blood and blood | | | | of areas for good reason. Young Piranhas tend to |
| worms when they are young. If Piranhas are legal | | | | school together where as older Piranhas are more |
| in your area, you can probably pick up appropriate | | | | solitary. They love to hide under ornaments and |
| food at your local pet store. As they get older, | | | | decoration so you should make sure that your |
| Piranha can be given fish or Beef pieces as well as | | | | aquarium decorations do not have sharp edges. All |
| feeder fish that can also be purchased at your | | | | in all Piranhas make great pets for experienced |
| local pet store. Some sources state that Piranha | | | | aquarium enthusiasts and I would highly |
| are omnivorous and therefore can also be fed | | | | recommend them for any exotic fish lover. |