piranhas going darker?

[jackamory]

hi, iv had these piranhas for a while now and they've been fine but recently 2 or 3 of then have started going darker (red bellies fading, black lines on the rear fins have got darker and spread a bit bigger and the fin on the bottom of the fish has become less red and darkened and just in general the fish look a lot darker) also they have started chasing each other off a lot and seem to be designating an area of the tank and protecting it for a few hours each day?
if you could let me know whats happening id greatlt appreciate it
cheers, jack

 

[cusccrstud21]

I'm no expert but that sounds like they're getting ready to breed....

 

[jackamory]

i thought that but was unsure..
what would help to encourage them not to?

jack

 

[cusccrstud21]

encourage them not to breed?? why would you not want them to breed, lol...I can't be of too much help on how to stop/encourage it but I'm sure if you separated them then they couldn't breed, lol

 

[Juxtaroberto]

Breed them and sell the babies for a profit.

Or use the babies as feeders... but feeding baby piranhas to the other piranhas just seems a bit too macabre...

 

[jackamory]

hahaha well i havnt the time or space to breed the piranhas and its hard enough selling these piranhas haha
and yea would be a bit harsh feeding the babies to their parents
so really i need them not to breed as i havnt even got another free tank to keep the young in

 

[stevenrox]

you can give them to me