Freshwater fish of South American rivers and floodplains with razor-sharp teeth. Often described as ferocious fish-eaters, most actually eat a varied diet that includes plants.
Quick answers
What is it?Fish
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?Can be
Despite the media image, piranhas usually aren’t a serious risk to people, though attacks do happen.
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?Sometimes
Sold as pets in some areas, but illegal in many parts of the US.
Do people eat it?Yes
Popular as food, eaten by fishers and sold at market.
At a glance
Found inSouth America, Rivers
HabitatRivers & lakes, Wetland, Rainforest
ColoursSilver, Red, Black
SizeSmall
LegsNone
Covered inScales
Lives ingroups
Lives for10–25 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- South American rivers, floodplains, lakes and reservoirs.
- What it eats
- Varied: fish and other animals, plus plant material.
Did you know
Its feeding-frenzy reputation is exaggerated: most piranhas also eat plants.
Its name comes from an Old Tupi word first recorded in 1585 as a translation for “scissors”.
Often confused with
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