
Thursday 15 February
The World's Favourite Unloved Species 2018 - the Galapagos Racer
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Actinopterygii |
Order | Characiformes |
Family | Characidae |
Genus | Pygocentrus (1) |
Often feared because of its seemingly aggressive and frenzied attacks (3), the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) has a reputation as a voracious predator, with razor-sharp teeth and an insatiable appetite (2) (4). Although it is extremely variable in appearance (3), the red-bellied piranha takes its name from the characteristic red belly, which is often a deeper, more intense red in the male piranha, while the rest of the body is usually grey, with silver flecked scales, sometimes appearing creamy-brown on the sides (2) (5). Blackish spots are often apparent behind the gills, and the anal fin is usually black at the base, while the pectoral and pelvic fins vary from red to orange (2). The red-bellied piranha also has a dark grey head that is orange-red below, and silvery, red-flecked eyes (3).
Despite frequently being portrayed as a dangerous and unpredictable predator, the red-bellied piranha feeds mainly on fish, insects and aquatic invertebrates, such as molluscs and crustaceans. It may also feed on any small, terrestrial animals it encounters, as well as fruits, seeds, algae and aquatic plants (2) (4) (5) (6). The sharp, triangular teeth of the red-bellied piranha interlock when the mouth is closed, making it extremely efficient at biting through food items (3) (8) and its powerful jaw arrangement and flat, blunt snout give the fish the ability to attack and bite with remarkable force.
The red-bellied piranha lives in shoals, although it does not exhibit group hunting behaviour (7). Occasionally the red-bellied piranha will enter into a ‘feeding frenzy’, where schools of piranha converge on a large item of prey and strip it clean within minutes. This particular behaviour contributes to the formidable reputation of the red-bellied piranha, but the frenzies are not usually random attacks, and are more often the result of provocation or starvation (4) (5).
Breeding occurs during the rainy season, usually peaking over a two month period that can vary depending on location (4) (5) (6). The female lays around 5,000 eggs on newly submerged vegetation (6), often in bowl-shaped nests that have been built by the male (2) (4).
The red-bellied piranha has yet to be classified by the IUCN.
This species is not currently considered threatened. However, because of its popularity as an aquarium species in some parts of the world, collection and trade may pose a low risk to the red-bellied piranha (5).
There are currently no specific conservation actions targeted at the red-bellied piranha.
Find out more about conservation of the red-bellied piranha’s habitat:
Find out more about other conservation projects throughout South America:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Image credit
© Krys Bailey / Marmotta PhotoArt
Krys Bailey
Marmotta PhotoArt
76 Elliot Rise
Hedge End
Southampton
SO30 2RW
Hampshire
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 786284
krys@marmotta-photoart.co.uk
http://www.marmotta-photoart.co.uk
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Thursday 15 February
The World's Favourite Unloved Species 2018 - the Galapagos Racer
Thursday 01 February
Thursday 01 February