So many to choose from. . . .

[Peanut_Power]

Alright, I'm toying with the idea of delving into the world of piranhas, and wouldn't mind getting some input on the matter. I love the thought of schooling piranhas, but my heart goes out stronger towards the Serrasalmus family. They just seem more colorful and interesting to me.

I don't want to get any of the rhombus, they are cool, but I like a little more color. So these are the species that I have looked at that are available and in my price range that interest me quite a bit. I can't really decide which way I want to go though.

I REALLY like the Ruby Red Spilos that Pedro has, just can't find much info on them. If anyone has one or has any info on them that would be greatly appreciated.

So out of these p's, which one would you guys choose and why?

Serrasalmus manueli
Serrasalmus brandtii
Serrasalmus elongatus
Serrasalmus sanchezi

 

[bomber]

Rhoms can be quite colorful.

 

[jp80911]

What kind of information you are looking for on ruby red spilo?
www.opefe.com would be your best source to get piranha related information.
If you are looking for color then I would go for either manny from your list (depends on what size tank you can ultimately provide to the fish as they can get pretty big). if you are limited to a smaller tank then sanchezi.

pygocentrus has lots of color too, piraya is always awesome, cariba has nice black humeral spots and red belly (even they do fade with age but fins will stay blood red if well taken care off), nattereri can have amazing color too if well care for. I've seen plenty 10"+ reds still with very nice red belly in public aquarium.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Rhoms can be quite colorful.

I'm sure they can be, and I do find them attractive, but it seems to me that a lot of people keep them. I like keeping fish that not a lot of people keep. Or at least not around here. I'm a sucker for rarer fish. Thus the ones I listed.

What kind of information you are looking for on ruby red spilo?
www.opefe.com would be your best source to get piranha related information.

I'm looking for max size mainly, but am also curious about having multiple fish in the same tank. Like how big of a tank would you have to have or is it just not possible period? I have a 300gal, and have plans for a larger tank, but am wondering if its even feasible for me to try.

Like I read that S. geryi is the only one of the Serras family that can be kept together. That really bites, I would love having a tank of elongatus or the ruby red spilos!

Also, the pictures that Pedro has on his site of the ruby red spilos, how long are they going to continue looking like that? Its incredible!

If you are looking for color then I would go for either manny from your list (depends on what size tank you can ultimately provide to the fish as they can get pretty big). if you are limited to a smaller tank then sanchezi.

Sanchezi definitely do look awesome, and has been suggested they can be kept in groups in large enough of tanks. Is that true? I don't want to drop a load on some fish and have them kill each other.

 

[jp80911]

I've never kept ruby red spilo myself but I believe the max size would be similar to maculatus, around 8-9". I think they will remain looking like that..color shouldn't fade away like rbps but it also depends on diet and water conditions.
S. Geryi and S. Maculatus are the only two species in the serra family that are known for able to be kept together, but it's not always successful.
with 300 gal you could have the tank heavily planted or decorated with rocks/driftwoods and see if you'll able to cohab multiple ruby red, it may or may not work. given the price tag they have, i don't think most of us could afford to cohab them or at least willing to waste money like that. same goes with sanchezi. they may never "shoal" together like pygos do but if you are lucky you might be able to keep multiple ones in a 300gal tank.
IMO, with 300 gal of water, it would be more impressive to have a big shoal of caribe (large adults) or a mix shoal with caribe, piraya and ternetzi (a variant of red belly but get bigger than common rbps).

 

[bomber]

A shoal of geryi's would be awesome. I dont think anyone on MFK has a shoal of them out of 75k members.

That would be sick.!

Good luck finding them. Yes they are that rare.

 

[Peanut_Power]

I thought about the Pygos, but I just don't like their bulldoggish faces. I like the concave look that a lot of the Serras have.

Guess I've narrowed it down to these three due to availability and what not.

Serrasalmus elongatus
Serrasalmus sanchezi (purple)
Ruby Red Spilos

 

[jp80911]

if you want color then elong won't give you much color unless you find a red throat black mask elong then you'll have a big more color.
AE Aquatic has a very nice purple sanchezi, nice red on lower jaw (both sides) and very nice purple hue over the body

but I still think ruby red spilo has better color.
a large size manny would be very awesome too. Mannies got crazy red on the gill plates and big black humeral spots

 

[p0w_yangz]

i would go with elongatus, just because it doesnt have much coloration if u do get the black mask one it is a big difference. Mine has ruby red eyes with a big black humeral spot. the head is black and the body is shinying with silver glitters. did i mention they are hella fingerchasers

 

[Peanut_Power]

Wow, that sanchezi is very nice!!!

I am really leaving towards the ruby red spilos, just wish I could get them in groups or something.

Pedro might be calling me on Monday to talk it out.