Adopting a Piranha, advice?

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K

kotomi

Feeder Fish
Jun 3, 2012
1
0
0
Montana
I'm normally not someone who would be posting in here, My husband and I generally more into planted community tanks... but I found someone trying to get rid of a Red bellied Piranha and a 40 gallon set up for less than a hundred bucks. Not my usual first choice, but I do however feel compelled to buy this poor guy to save him from ending up in the wrong hands. I know there are way too many people interested in these guys solely for their novelty, and I know in my small town in Montana, that exotic fish are not a popular hobby. I know at least, that my husband and I would try our best to keep him happy and healthy and that we'd actually do our homework on how to keep him. But I had a few questions that I figured some "experts" might be able to answer for me.

The tank, obviously, is way too small for a group of these guys. Some pages recommend keeping one, or a group only. If I could afford a large enough set up for a group, I would... but that is beyond our means at the moment. Will one be okay on his own? Or should I try to find someone who has a group. Would a group of red bellied piranha accept a new fish if I *did* manage to find someone who could take him, or would be be singled out and attacked? I do however, kind of doubt that finding someone with a group of them in Bumf*ck, Montana is a possibility...

Any advice? are they very particular about their water parameters? I know they need good filtration and a temp around 76-80 degrees. I am buying an RO unit before I get this guy anway, I'm wondering what additives (aquarium salt, buffers, etc.) you guys add to your piranha's water to keep them and what parameters you guys shoot for?

What is an ideal diet? I read that feeder goldfish aren't a good idea because they can carry disease.. do you use a different kind of feeder fish, or would this guy be happy on a frozen food and fresh veggie diet. What frozen foods would would you recommend?

Any advice you guys have would be much appreciated. I'd like this guy to be as healthy and happy as I can make him.. I won't have him for another two weeks, so I wanted to get as much info as i can before then. thanks guys!
 
Hi, welcome to MFK.
its ok to keep it by itself and there's always a risk if you try to introduce it to an already established shoal, especially it's been solo all its life. there's just no guarantee.
Don't have to add any additives to the water, piranha in general is very hardy fish, not very picky when it comes to water parameters, 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, 20ppm nitrate or less would pretty much what you aim for, pH level around 7 would be good but not necessary. a stable pH is more important.
as for diet, you can read about the following sticky, it contains some good information.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?306686-The-Piranha-Nutrition-Thread
good luck with the adoption and keep us posted.
 
What size is the fish ?

Either way a solo ir group will be fine. If you want to add it to a group the smaller the better when adding it . As far as tank conditions go there not picky and rbs are pretty forgiving and easy to take care of especially with a solo. Just remove uneaten food and do at least 25% water changes once a week.
If you can get it on pellets that would be healthy and convenient for you. Give him some variety with tilapia filers , frozen shrimp , cat fish nuggets or any white fleshy fish you can get at the grocery store .
 
When you first get it, it may not eat for the first couple days or week. I usually don't even offer new additions food for the first couple days . If its a larger rb feeding it every other day or four to five times a week is fine .
 
I think they've got you covered on tank conditions. lol I never paid attention to mine, just kept changing their water, mine did really well in "black water" but I don't think everyone likes the tea look. For a solo, I'd provide places for the beastie to hide and feel safe. 90% of the time, a single pygocentrus piranha ("true piranhas") will be skittish. They prefer low-light, I used to cover the translucent part of the tank lid, ya know, where the light fixture sits, with some electrical tape to block some of the light for the benefit of their eyes. My first piranha was an only child for a long while, and when I upgraded my tank, I introduced him and a shoal of 3 slightly smaller red bellies. But when he was alone, I had a lot of activity because I went out of my way to make him feel safe. Good luck and enjoy, a lot of people think they're mindless killing machines, but they do have personality and you'll get attached, trust me. ^_~
 
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