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Pygocentrus

The Pygocentrus, also known as the piranha, is a small fish famous for its sharp teeth and strong jaws. They live in rivers and lakes and are known for swimming in groups called schools.

Hábitat: Freshwater rivers and lakes

Aspecto

The Pygocentrus is a deep-bodied, silver-scaled fish, often sporting a striking reddish-orange belly, especially in the Red-bellied Piranha. It has a distinctive blunt head and a prominent lower jaw. Its compact, muscular build makes it visually different from slender, elongated river fish.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseActinopterygiiOrdenCharaciformesFamiliaSerrasalmidaeGéneroPygocentrus

Pygocentrus

Categoría

Peces

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Despite their fearsome reputation, most piranha attacks on humans only happen if they feel threatened.

Pygocentrus fish are sometimes called 'piranhas', a name meaning 'tooth fish' in the Tupi language.

Some Amazonian tribes use dried piranha jaws as tools for cutting hair or sharpening darts!

Their powerful jaws can snap shut with incredible force, strong enough to crush bones!

Habilidades especiales

Pygocentrus can swim in large schools because this behavior helps them overwhelm predators and hunt more effectively.

Pygocentrus has a highly sensitive lateral line system that helps them detect tiny water vibrations from struggling prey.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 15-39 cm
Peso: 0.5-4 kg
Esperanza de vida: 10-15 años
Velocidad de nado: 25 km/h
Profundidad máxima: 15 m
Tipo de agua: Agua dulce

Dieta y alimentación

These powerful fish mostly eat other fish, but they will also snack on insects and plants.

Diferencias por edad: Younger Pygocentrus eat more insects and smaller prey, while adults focus on larger fish.

Alimentos principales

fish
insects
crustaceans
aquatic plants
fallen fruits

Método de búsqueda

Ambush

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Peacock Bass

Cichla ocellaris

Juvenile Pygocentrus are prey for larger fish.

eaten by

Payara

Hydrolycus scomberoides

Faster, larger fish hunt Pygocentrus in their habitats.

hunts

Tambaqui

Colossoma macropomum

Pygocentrus targets smaller or injured Tambaqui.

eats

Bloodworm

Chironomus plumosus

Eats various insect larvae in its aquatic environment.

Rasgos

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.