Piranhas and Tankmates?? -READ THIS-

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i wouldnt call it school because in a school of fish they all move at the same time in the same direction. more like just a group because its not like they like each other its just easier to find food.
 
I've got 9 pygo natts,6 serra macs,2 9in plecos and a few tetras, tetras were supposed to be food, in a 220g planted tank. Aside from the occasional nip, I don't have problems. Some of them haven't passed the 4in aggression mark so nips are to be expected.
 
I got 1 rb with red tail shark convict an 1 tetra dsnt really bother them he only goes after the goldfish/rosiereds i put in, I only have one rb ima get a few more when i get paid. I think they will eventually get ate when i forget to feed or if they get hungry enough.
 
This thread is 4 years old but if it must be brought up to the front again and your goal is to dispute the original post, please share tank size, how long the "co hab" has been going on and the piranha size. I'm not impressed by any short term success and all rules go out the window when we start talking extremely large tanks as most people will be keeping them in 55 to 220. Also not impressed if a juvie co exists with slightly larger or same size tank mates.

Help advance the hobby, share the basic and what you think contributes to your success
 
I agree with OP. The OP didn't mention the particular needs regarding a positive current in the water, suggested number to strive for in the known schooling species, proper cover, and, not the least, keeping your hands out of the tank, ALWAYS.
I have personally experienced the sharp end of these beautiful fish and that alone keeps me from keeping them again. People I know that are currently keeping Piranha are divided between excellent and irresposible. When provided with proper care these fish flourish. When kept solely for entertainment, proper husbandry often takes a back seat and the fish suffer.
 
you are telling the true thing about pirahnas, i started with several and the smallest started to miss body parts, cut in halve everything... now i still got pirahnas but less than i started with... my opinion: don't start putting other fish with them it will become a meal just like everything that moves...
 
I've tried plecos I've had one last 4 month no fin nips or anything just looked in the tank oneday and it was gone
 
I agree 100% with op. I have 2 RBP and a pleco that have been co-habitating for about 3 years with no fin nips to the pleco. Tooth (the larger and dominant eater of the 2 piranhas) nips at Nail (the smaller of the two), but neither go after the pleco. They realize the pleco is the janitor (hence his name...The Janitor) and leave him alone. Someone with 2 RBP's and a similar pleco might experience catastrophic failure. The pleco was introduced as a larger fish to the tank when the p's were about the size of a dime, so I am sure that helps, but so far, I have been pretty lucky.

As the op stated, we are dealing with living creatures and there are exceptions to every rule. That being said, if you want a potential 'tank-mate' to live, keep it out of the same tank as your p.
 
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