Small Piranhas

[jp80911]

hey jack,

I'm just curious, we always recommend pygos to people for small shoals, but what about S. maculatus? They stay smaller. Is it because they need more room to shoal without killing each other? Just wondering...

I think it's because they are harder to shoal, especially when it comes to people new to piranhas. with pygo the chance of having a shoal is much much higher and easier.
I don't think anyone enjoy watching their fish being killed off by tank mates, that'll probably discourage them away from keeping piranhas.

 

[Otherone]

It's gonna take a long long time for a RBP to hit 12" probably never in 75 gal. And even if the dominant one does the rest will not. I've had several long lasting shoals and never got one over 10" and that was just one. Then again they were in 125 gal. not 265 or larger. Tank volume, filtration, diet, and genetics play heavily into growing monster Red Bellies. 3-5 RBP in 75gal will more than likely stay around the 8-9" mark
which is a healthy adult size for RBP's.

As for why I don't recommend Serrasalmus Maculatus shoals, I've never tried it. I could not speak from experience. As the OP stated he's lookin' for good advice from experiened Piranha keepers and this forum for the most gives it. I don't think experimenting at the expense of others time, money, and emotional investments is sound advice.

 

[jp80911]

It's gonna take a long long time for a RBP to hit 12" probably never in 75 gal. And even if the dominant one does the rest will not. I've had several long lasting shoals and never got one over 10" and that was just one. Then again they were in 125 gal. not 265 or larger. Tank volume, filtration, diet, and genetics play heavily into growing monster Red Bellies. 3-5 RBP in 75gal will more than likely stay around the 8-9" mark
which is a healthy adult size for RBP's.

As for why I don't recommend Serrasalmus Maculatus shoals, I've never tried it. I could not speak from experience. As the OP stated he's lookin' for good advice from experiened Piranha keepers and this forum for the most gives it. I don't think experimenting at the expense of others time, money, and emotional investments is sound advice.

well said

 

[MANGCH1]

what about wimple piranhas?