Morphological Characteristics of Piranha, Clever Adaptations

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
This fish ain't shy. This is where he loves to hang out and watch everything. He has a view of the living room, front doorway entrance, hallway to the bedroom, and the kitchen where he spots any and all movements within the house. He sees you before you see him.

post-3-1100098321.jpg
 
This is a close-up of him. Notice the direct eye contact and oh-so-obvious assertive attitude of this fish.

This is an example of the "relaxed" mode I mentioned in the Emotion post.

If you read his eyes, he's about to get pissed off at me disturbing him so close with the camera when he's relaxing. Soon as the shot was taken he turned to face his intruder with the intent to do something about it.

post-3-1100098550.jpg
 
Big Gulp

It may not be readily apparent but piranha have perhaps the fastest swallowing reflex of all animals. This is obviously important when a large school swarms in for food as it doesn't last long. In order to make sure they get a full belly these fish have the ability to open their throats and swallow as they bite.

Huge morsels at least half the size of the head can be gulped instantly. When these fish come in to feed they can open their throats to allow the food to slide down into the gullet without having to swim away trying to swallow a mouthfull of food potentially instilling attack from still hungry fish. A piranha with anything hanging from its mouth will attract attention and the others will try and steal it. This can be very dangerous for obvious reasons.

I am not aware of any other animal capable of filling its belly in three seconds or less. Crocodiles can swallow large items of food but they have to work them down. This can take minutes sometimes, or more. Sharks also have to work large pieces down. An oscar can be seen flexing its throat to swallow feeders. Piranha have the capability of going from empty stomach to full in the time it takes most animals to sink their teeth into the prey. They live a very fast life and sometimes all that separates them from malnutrition to satiation is mere seconds. Latecomers may not have the opportunity to indulge in the feeding frenzy and a full belly of food is translated into rapid growth - critical in such a competitive environment.

Any of the good feeding videos here on PFury will attest to that. Prey items disappear very quickly, particularly when other piranha are in the tank, and the bellies of the fish plump instantly as they turn from the meal. Fish kept singly don't feel the need to gulp immediately and can often be seen playing a little with the food but once it's going to be swallowed it disappears without a flinch.

Once they do get a large morsel they quickly relent and go off to digest their prize. Because of this rapid ingestion rate a piranha can also get full instantly as well. I like to feed Kilzses smaller portions to make him stay interested in feeding by hand and hanging about the front of the tank. If I toss a large item in he usually eats instantly and then goes to his resting place to digest. At this stage he has very little interest in further interactions and prefers to be left alone.

Gotta love these super cool fish!!!
 
Thanking you kindly gentlemen... err or gentlepersons (in case there's a female present )

Here's a pic, albiet somewhat darkly, of Kilzsesees trying to bite my nose off.. I tell ya, if there wasn't any glass between he and me, I would be sporting a skull right about now.....


.... I've already lost five (5) pieces of my fings over the years.

post-3500-1117472740_thumb.jpg
 
I HAVE WATCHED MINE VERY CLOSE AND SOMETIMES IT SEEMS THEY HAVE TO STRETCH THEIR JAW MUSCLES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. THEY WILL HAVE THE MOUTH OF A BASS( BUT WITH TEETH). I HAVE SEEN THE VALVE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT AND YOU CAN SEE IT LIKE ITS COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH OR THROAT AREA

post-3-1101730895.jpg
 
in conclusion i would like to say these are lil' super fishs!!! :goldfish: and they are jaw droping amazing :jaw: quite evil :FIREdevil trust me i got owned :owned:
:mwave:
 
Very Detailed observations there Just1nK4ng. Thanks for sharing !
How old is that Redbelly. Its a beast..

I agree on the fish recognizing its owner ( most probably by conditioned response ,i.e your face appears just before a meal ). I have had several fish in the past that would go to the front of the tank if i show my face, but show a different person and the fish would hide.
 
redtailfool said:
Very Detailed observations there Just1nK4ng. Thanks for sharing !
How old is that Redbelly. Its a beast..

I agree on the fish recognizing its owner ( most probably by conditioned response ,i.e your face appears just before a meal ). I have had several fish in the past that would go to the front of the tank if i show my face, but show a different person and the fish would hide.
Click to expand...

i dont really know but i had it for about 7 years now its 8" the black started kicking in when it was about 6-7" this guy is a beast he took out 5 pieces of my fingers... when hand feeding :owned:
 
finally someone has a few OR MORE lol good words to put in for these magnificent beasts of the water, all i usually hear is that there skittish and arent worth having in the aquaria wich really tends to piss me off, im glad to know so many new and interesting things about em thanx for all the info man im going to try some of the approaches u mentioned :clap :thumbsup: :headbang2
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom