Edit Pygocentrus cariba

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Name

Scientific name

Pygocentrus cariba

Described by

Authority Humboldt, Year 1821, Bracketed

Family

Serrasalmidae

Common names

Black Spot Piranha

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

The black spot piranha, Pygocentrus cariba, is restricted to the Río Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela. Many of its habitats lie with…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

350mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 240 cm, Minimum depth 90 cm, Minimum height 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–28°C, pH 4–7

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Colombia, Venezuela, Apure, Ariari, Ariporo, Casanare, Chaviripa, Cravo Norte, Cunaviche, Duda, Guárico, Guaviare, Inírida, Lipa, Meta, Orinoco, Portuguesa, Ticoporo, Tomo, Vichada

Writing

Etymology

Pygocentrus: from the Ancient Greek πῡγή (pūgḗ), meaning 'rump', and κέντρον (kéntron), meaning 'sharp point, thorn, spine', in reference to the serrated abdom…

Distribution

Restricted to the Río Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela, including major tributaries such as the ríos Inírida, Guaviare, Meta, Vichada, Tomo, Casanare, A…

Habitat

Has been recorded from major river channels, smaller tributaries, and floodplain lakes, many of which comprise acidic, mineral-poor blackwater environments wit…

Aquarium size

Suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria with an aquarium measuring 240 ∗ 90 ∗ 60 cm or equivalent the minimum requirement fo…

Maintenance

Some aquarists maintain this species in bare-bottomed arrangements for ease of maintenance, but standard aquarium gravel or sand are both suitable substrates. …

Some aquarists maintain this species in bare-bottomed arrangements for ease of maintenance, but standard aquarium gravel or sand are both suitable substrates. Other décor is basically down to personal taste but plants may be eaten, especially if the fish decide to spawn. Lighting is relatively unimportant and can be dim to strong as preferred.

Pygocentrus spp. typically produce a lot of waste so the use of one or more over-sized external filter is essential. If possible buy units with inbuilt heaters or at least fit a sturdy heater-guard as adults have been known to damage submerged equipment. Sump systems also work well and the heater can be housed within.

Aim to change 30-50% of the tank volume each week, and exercise extreme care when performing such maintenance or when netting the fish for any reason.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Pygocentrus spp. are not exclusive carnivores and are more accurately described as opportunistic generalists. The natural diet consists not only of live fishes…

Behaviour and compatibility

Best-maintained alone although adults tend to leave much smaller fishes alone if well-fed. In very large aquaria similarly-sized species may not be killed outr…

Sexual dimorphism

Females generally attain a larger adult size than males, and sexually mature individuals exhibit a more-rounded body shape, especially during reproductive peri…

Reproduction

Unrecorded, but probably employs a similar reproductive strategy to that of the congener P. nattereri whereby wild populations exhibit two annual reproductive …

Notes

Pygocentrus species are famed as rapacious predators capable of rapidly stripping flesh from bone and a danger to any animal entering its native waters, althou…

References

10 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References