Advice on Buying First Piranhas

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Oh and I just need to know the length of time they can wait without eating because sometimes I go on really long holidays. My neighbours also might be scared tog o near piranhas too much.
 
Siripala, welcome to the site. I'm not going to flame you on your first post, but somebody will.

Claw, I'm glad to hear that you are going with a wider tank. I'm going to be going home for Christmas break and will be gone for about 2 weeks. My fish are almost 3" and I've got an automatic fish feeder that I'm going to be trying. I've heard some horror stories about these, but my roommate will be here every few days to check on things in case something does go terrible. I'm not afraid that my fish would starve in that time, but I am concerned that they would beat each other or worse.
 
13" is by no means wide enough to keep red belly piranhas for life. It would work with either the serrasalmus irratons or sanchezi, but not any of the pygos for the long run. I know that you said that you were only planning on keeping them temporarily, from the sounds of it you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Serra's are skittish fish. Red bellies are incredibly skittish when not kept in larger groups. I believe I read one instance of a single red belly in a tank to himself taking 4 years to come out of his shell. Not to mention that you have more then one in this small tank being kept without food for multiple weeks? Chances are high that you will lose some. Try it if you want, the tank is too small but its not like its a 5 gallon tank, but I want you to prepare yourself for a let down if you do not plan on keeping them for the long run. It takes these fish a long time, alot of times, to get used to their keepers. From the sounds of it, you are not planning putting in that time.
 
Claw;1348898; said:
Oh and I just need to know the length of time they can wait without eating because sometimes I go on really long holidays. My neighbours also might be scared tog o near piranhas too much.

you dont have the proper space, time, or the attitude for commitment to keep piranhas. dont buy them.
 
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