Hobbies And Interests
Genus Pygocentrus
The pygocentrus species of piranha are referred to as "true piranha." All subspecies of pygocentrus are found in the rivers of South America. The cariba variety inhabit the lowlands of the Orinoco River and the rivers of the Llanos region in Venezuela. They are more aggressive and territorial than other piranha subspecies. The nattereri subspecies, commonly called red-bellied piranha, is abundant in the rivers of Central and South America. It has been identified in the Amazon Basin, the coastal rivers of northeast Brazil, the basin of the Paraguay River, the Essequibo River in Guyana and the rivers of Surinam. The final subspecies of the Pygocentrus class is the piraya. This fish is larger than other piranha, reaching lengths of up to 20 inches in the wild. It is found in just one river, the Rio São Francisco, in Brazil. Its size makes it the most fearsome of the Pygocentrus species.
Genus Catoprion
While not considered to be true piranha, the Catoprion genus, commonly referred to as wimpel piranha, is often referred to as a piranha because it resembles and exhibits similar characteristics to members of genus Pygocentrus. Uniquely its preferred food is scales, either found floating in the water or stripped from other fish. It is found in the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, and upper Paraguay River basins in South America.
Genus Pristobrycon
There are five species of Pristobrycon: scapularis, aureus, calmoni, careospinus and striolatus. They are found in the rivers of Brazil, Guyana, Surinam and Venezuela, most notably in the Orinoco Basin. All exhibit omnivorous traits, feeding primarily on smaller fish.
Genus Pygopristis
Pygopristis, sometimes referred to as golden piranha or long-toothed piranha are found in the Orinoco River Basin, the Guiana Shield rivers, tributaries of the lower Amazon, Brazil, Guyana, Surinam and Venezuela. This species is the least aggressive of all piranha. While it does eat flesh and is still a predatory fish, it also eats fruits, nuts and seeds.
Genus Metynnis
Sometimes referred to as "silver dollars," there are several species of Metynnis. They inhabit many rivers throughout South America. They are not true piranha, but are closely related. They are generally less aggressive than piranha and, while they do eat insects and worms, they are primarily vegetarian.
Outside of South America
The popularity of piranha as pets has led to reports of them appearing in rivers outside of South America. It is unlikely that piranha could become widespread outside of their natural habitat, but individual fish have been found in Europe and North America, and there have even been reports of piranha turning up in Bangladesh.