Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Piranhas will often scavenge, [9] and some species such as Serrasalmus elongatus are specialized scale-eaters, feeding primarily on scales and fins of other fish. [3] Scale- and fin-eating is more widespread among juvenile and sub-adult piranhas. [20] Piranhas lay their eggs in pits dug during the breeding season and swim around to protect them.
This fish is an omnivore, and has aggressive tendencies when hungry, stressed, or seeking live food. Like most in the Serrasalmidae family, piraya piranhas dental morphology has a major influence for their inclination toward piscivorous and herbivorous behavior [3].
As their name suggests, red-bellied piranhas have a reddish tinge to the belly when fully grown, although juveniles are a silver color with darker spots. The species can reach up to 3.9 kg (8 lb 10 oz) in weight and 50 cm (20 in) in standard length [ 3 ] but rarely surpass 35 cm (14 in). [ 8 ]
A new species of fish has been discovered in the Amazon: a piranha relative with humanlike teeth. The eye-catcher was named after a “Lord of the Rings” villain.
To emphasize the diversity of diets, authors commonly highlight the fruit- and leaf-eating pacus and the highly carnivorous piranhas. Most in the family other than piranhas are primarily herbivorous. In contrast, piranhas have been long believed to be strict carnivores. [4] Many species change diets depending on age and resource availability. [4]
They will also eat the scales and fins which they can nip off other fishes. They are well known scavengers, and feed on carcasses within the river. [ 2 ] [ 5 ] This is not a sociable species and normally lives solitarily.
The sharp-snouted piranha (Serrasalmus sanchezi) is a species of serrasalmid endemic to Peru.It is part of the S. rhombeus complex. It reaches a maximum size of around 7 inches (18 cm).
The name Megapiranha is a combination of the word "mega" in reference to the animal's large size and piranha, a common name for typically carnivorous members of Serrasalmidae. The word piranha itself is a Portuguese merging of words originating in the Tupi language and may have several meanings including "tooth fish", [ 5 ] "cutting fish ...