Help identify orphans!?!?

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Rubygirl77

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 9, 2011
11
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Nunya, WA
I recently 'adopted' 5 piranha. Circumstances were not good and as an advanced aquarist I could not see them suffer or go to a home that had less experience...hence here I am! I didn't know the owners and all they were feeding was hotdogs and lunch meat!!!! I have done a mound of research to quickly get up to speed of the needs of these fish. Now I really would like to know wether I have Serrasalmus rhombeus or Pygocentrus nattereri...of course, I may have neither but those are the closest descriptions I can find.

From nose to tail they average 7", blunt head with under bite and read eye with black stripe vertical. Where it gets confusing is body color; Dark grey almost light black with gold reflective scales. Tail fin is white but outer edge is dark black. The Anal Fin is darker at the body, then white and at the lowest section red outlined in black (one or two have no red at all).

I'm feeding them a mix of frozen silversides, frozen krill, Hikari Cichlid Gold Pellets, HBH Super Cichlid Sinkers (they LOVE), fresh chicken, and Super Worms(another favorite treat).

I know the 55 gallon tank their in is way to small (I'm saving up), but filtration is good and I do partial water removals often.
I will try and post a pic, let's hope it works!

PLEASE HELP!!??

IMG_0148.JPG
 
You def have Pygo Natts, or Red Bellied Piranha.

Not all Red Belly Piranha actually have red bellies, oddly enough. In fact, as they grow up, most of them lose their reddish color. I notice you have light gravel, which should lighten them up again, also a good diet will surely help. Based on your post, I'm betting their lack of color has something to due with their diet.

You may be alright with them in a 55 gallon for now, just try and remove most decorations and caves so they do not establish territories, and of course make sure they are well fed.

Overall, beautiful fish. You should have a ton of fun with them! Also, be thankful that you don't have Rhoms, because five seven inch rhoms in a 55 would NOT be good.
 
are you planning on keeping them? they look nice considering the diet. they're def. red belly piranhas, lil over a year old
 
Thank you guys so much!! They are amazing to watch and so shy! Not what I expected. I'm hoping to get them into a 100 gallon by the end of the year...think that's enough room for 5? How many gallons per P is recommended?
 
It usually works like this:
1 RBP in a 30
3 RBP in a 55

So I think you should be alright with all those bad boys in a 100.
 
1 per 20 gallon is the general rule of thumb. i wouldn't recommend 3 for a 55 for life for example, the tank isn't wide enough, might as well go with a 75
 
Good job on the rescue! a 100 gallon would be good for life for 5 of those little monsters. Get em a power head if you havent already, they love to swim against the current. Sounds like you did your research and their diet seems spot on.
 
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