Next Piranha: Manny or Piraya?

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Red Aimara

Red Aimara

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2011
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My recently acquired Rhom is settling nicely (still shy and skittish but at least the feeder fishes and shrimps head count is lesser).

Anyway, I have been offered to opportunity to own a second P and given a choice of either a Manny or Piraya - both will be around the same size and price.

What will be the better choice? The good and bad of one over the other?

Note: will be setting up a new suitable tank for either one.

Personally I'd like the colors and shape of Manny but the faster growth of Piraya is also alluring.
 
The Question to you is you like solo or shoal piranha? If you have a spare tank that is big enough for the Manny then get it. But piraya is better in shoal because of the pygo family. I had both piranha before I even had 3 Manny in my 180g they about 6-7"...didnt take them long to destroy each other. I did it because I want to shoal a Serra family and I love the look of the large Manny. However I had suceesfuly shoal 5-6" Serra Macs which a group of 8 together in my 300gallon.
 
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It is going to be solo at the moment.

The price of each is pretty high so getting a batch of Piraya will be out of question. :(
 
curious how much they go for? i was out from piranha for a long time but last i bought Manny for 6-7" was $150 and Caribe about $100
 
I just sold my manny because I was not ready to deal with the slow growth over many years. Most mannies are very timid until they around 8in or so. My guy would literally hide all day. If you are find with dealing with a fish that does that then you are fine.

I don't think solo piraya is a problem The biggest issue with piraya is that they are very susceptible to hith so you need to stay on top of your tank maintenance more than other piranha. Also, you need a big tank much faster. You will get to 12in and then 15in probably within 1-2 years. One person I know has grown his piraya to around 20in. That was in a 800g but it can happen and you need to have that large tank. I think the minimum tank for a piraya is 180g and that is provided it does not break the 15in mark.
 
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nzafi said:
I just sold my manny because I was not ready to deal with the slow growth over many years. Most mannies are very timid until they around 8in or so. My guy would literally hide all day. If you are find with dealing with a fish that does that then you are fine.

I don't think solo piraya is a problem The biggest issue with piraya is that they are very susceptible to hith so you need to stay on top of your tank maintenance more than other piranha. Also, you need a big tank much faster. You will get to 12in and then 15in probably within 1-2 years. One person I know has grown his piraya to around 20in. That was in a 800g but it can happen and you need to have that large tank. I think the minimum tank for a piraya is 180g and that is provided it does not break the 15in mark.
Click to expand...

Besides the faster growth, does Piraya possess a more outgoing personality?
 
I think you should hold off on making a decision, until you've spent a little more time with your rhom. If you end up really liking having a solo serra, a manny could be a good choice (since you prefer its shape and colors). Personally, I would go with the piraya -- just so that you have the option of adding other pygo tank mates later. Also, if ultimate size isn't your goal, a shoal of cariba might be a better choice. If your supplier is able to bring in 2-3" cariba, you could have a nice shoal without breaking the bank.
 
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