60gallon
- Thread starter BIGMONSTER
- Start date
Scientific name:
Catoprion mento
Author:
Cuvier, 1819
Synonyms:
Serrasalmus mento, Mylesinus macropterus.
Class:
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order:
Characins (Characiformes)
Family:
Characidae
Subfamily:
Serrasalminae
Distribution:
South America: Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, and upper Paraguay River basins.
Maximum size:
Up to 6" (15 cm.)
Minimum tank size:
Minimum tank size is 32x14" (80x35 cm.)
Can be kept in a small group, but due to its agressive behaviour and parasitic (fin-nipping) habit, a large tank is necessary: at least 48x18" (120x45 cm.)
Aquarium set-up:
A dimly lit tank with a good amount of decor (plants, driftwood and/or rocks) to rpovide hiding places. A large open area for swimming should also be provided.
A bit of current, produced by a powerhead is appreciated.
Due to its meaty diet, this fish produces large amounts of waste: a powerful filtration system is not an option!
Suitable tank mates:
The Wimpel Piranha is an agressive and predatory fish, and should be kept in a species tank only, as tank mates will be nipped, descaled or even killed.
If enough hiding places are present, Pleco's or Raphael Catfish could be kept in the same tank, but the risk of predation always remains.
Water chemistry:
Although more sensitive than true piranha's, this fish can adapt to a wide range of water conditions, if acclimatized slowly and with great care. This is even more stringend as all specimen are wild-caught.
Ideally, the water is soft and slightly acidic (you can use peat as filter media, or black water extract to obtain such conditions).
The water temperature should be between 73-79 degrees F (23-26 degrees C).
Breeding:
No instances of captive breeding have been reported so far.
Diet:
Should be fed with fish (live, frozen or fillet), shrimp, prawns, krill, mussels, squid, blood worms, mosquito larvae, and tubifex.
Once acclimatized, the Wimpel Piranha may accept pellet or stick food.
Additional information:
Although described by its common name as a piranha, and although it shares its fin-nipping and predatory lifestyle, this fish is not a true piranha species.
Catoprion mento
Author:
Cuvier, 1819
Synonyms:
Serrasalmus mento, Mylesinus macropterus.
Class:
Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order:
Characins (Characiformes)
Family:
Characidae
Subfamily:
Serrasalminae
Distribution:
South America: Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, and upper Paraguay River basins.
Maximum size:
Up to 6" (15 cm.)
Minimum tank size:
Minimum tank size is 32x14" (80x35 cm.)
Can be kept in a small group, but due to its agressive behaviour and parasitic (fin-nipping) habit, a large tank is necessary: at least 48x18" (120x45 cm.)
Aquarium set-up:
A dimly lit tank with a good amount of decor (plants, driftwood and/or rocks) to rpovide hiding places. A large open area for swimming should also be provided.
A bit of current, produced by a powerhead is appreciated.
Due to its meaty diet, this fish produces large amounts of waste: a powerful filtration system is not an option!
Suitable tank mates:
The Wimpel Piranha is an agressive and predatory fish, and should be kept in a species tank only, as tank mates will be nipped, descaled or even killed.
If enough hiding places are present, Pleco's or Raphael Catfish could be kept in the same tank, but the risk of predation always remains.
Water chemistry:
Although more sensitive than true piranha's, this fish can adapt to a wide range of water conditions, if acclimatized slowly and with great care. This is even more stringend as all specimen are wild-caught.
Ideally, the water is soft and slightly acidic (you can use peat as filter media, or black water extract to obtain such conditions).
The water temperature should be between 73-79 degrees F (23-26 degrees C).
Breeding:
No instances of captive breeding have been reported so far.
Diet:
Should be fed with fish (live, frozen or fillet), shrimp, prawns, krill, mussels, squid, blood worms, mosquito larvae, and tubifex.
Once acclimatized, the Wimpel Piranha may accept pellet or stick food.
Additional information:
Although described by its common name as a piranha, and although it shares its fin-nipping and predatory lifestyle, this fish is not a true piranha species.