# 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. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Piranha ![Pygocentrus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Piranha1.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Piranha1.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Characiformes - **Family:** Serrasalmidae - **Genus:** Pygocentrus ## Interesting facts - 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! ## Special abilities - **Team Tactics:** Pygocentrus can swim in large schools because this behavior helps them overwhelm predators and hunt more effectively. - **Vibration Radar:** Pygocentrus has a highly sensitive lateral line system that helps them detect tiny water vibrations from struggling prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-39 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 25 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 15 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding These powerful fish mostly eat other fish, but they will also snack on insects and plants. - **Age differences:** Younger Pygocentrus eat more insects and smaller prey, while adults focus on larger fish. - **Primary Foods:** fish, insects, crustaceans, aquatic plants, fallen fruits - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **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. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always be careful around water where Pygocentrus live, as they can bite if they feel threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pygocentrus? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pygocentrus? 15-39 cm ### How much does Pygocentrus weigh? 0.5-4 kg ### How long does Pygocentrus live? 10-15 years ### What does Pygocentrus eat? These powerful fish mostly eat other fish, but they will also snack on insects and plants. ### How fast can Pygocentrus swim? 25 km/h ### Where is Pygocentrus usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ### How does Pygocentrus hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Belle Isle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belle-isle-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-aquarium-and-exhibition-center-new-york) — New York, US · Zoo - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium-illinois) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Newport Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/newport-aquarium-kentucky) — Kentucky, US · Aquarium - [SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sea-life-minnesota-aquarium) — Minnesota, US · Zoo - [Aquarium of the Americas](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aquarium-of-the-americas) — Louisiana, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Pygocentrus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pygocentrus) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Pygocentrus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pygocentrus)