Black Piranha question

[kevin714]

I went to the shark aquarium in NJ yesterday, and I have a question about the piranhas they listed. On one tank they had listed a "Black Piranha" and on another they had one listed as a "Black Rhom". Both were 5 inches the Black Rhom had alot of red around its throat and gill area the one listed as just Black had no red. Otherwise they looked the same. I am not a piranha expert by far but I always thought that a Black Piranha was the same as a Black Rhom? The worker had no clue which surprised me I've seen better help at petmart. George is away on a collection trip. I bought a 2 inch Black Piranha wild caught from peru for 19.99. He is already swimming around his tank and nailing rosy reds so I think I may have a good agressive one. I think wild caught specimens are always more likely to be glass bangers with any species. I have a wild caught Dovii that is a glass banging maniac. Anyway can someone help answer my question?

 

[JD7.62]

"black piranha" is just a common name. A variety of species including rhoms, S. Sanchezi, S. Compressus could all be labeled as "blacks".

FYI all piranha except for reds are wild caught as only reds breed readily in captivity.

 

[kevin714]

FYI all piranha except for reds are wild caught as only reds breed readily in captivity.

Learn something new everyday. I didn't know that but like I said I'm far from a Piranha expert.

So when will I be able to tell if its a Rhom. And does anyone know Shark aquariums record of correctly identifying species they sell?

 

[JD7.62]

From what I hear, George knows his stuff. Perhaps he hasnt been there to get a positive ID.

As far as Ps breeding in captivity, like I said before reds do it regulary and there has been rare instances of S. Maculatus and P. Caribe as well but that is about it.