A Spilo, a Sanchezi and a Black Piranha are all different:
Serrasalmus sanchezi
South America: Ucayali River basin.
Maximum Size
Approx. 13 cm. (6") TL.
Minimum tank size
Recommended tank size for an adult specimen is at least 80x40x40 cm. (32x16x16").
Juvenile specimen can be kept in a smaller tank: minimum 60x30x30 cm. (24x12x12").
Tank Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred.
Compatible Species
Although this species has succesfully been kept in a group, it is highly recommended to keep the Sanchezi Piranha as a solitary fish: it remains a parasitic and highly agressive species.
Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), shrimp, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mamal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
Serrasalmus spilopleura
Amazonas Basin, Guaporé River
Maximum Size
Approx. 22 cm. (9") TL.
Specimen over 18 cm. (7") TL are rare in captivity.
Minimum tank size
Recommended tank size for an adult specimen is 120x45x50 cm. (48x18x20").
Juvenile specimen can be kept in a smaller tank: minimum 60x30x30 cm. (24x12x12").
Tank Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred.
Compatible Species
Although this species has succesfully been kept in a group, it is highly recommended to keep the Spilopleura Piranha as a solitary fish: it remains a parasitic and highly agressive species.
Breeding
Few instances of captive breeding. Probably one of the more prolific species of piranha, especially if tank raised.
Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), shrimp, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mamal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
On rare occasions this species accepts vegetables, nuts seeds or fruit as well.
Serrasalmus rhombeus (Black Piranha)
Widespread, found throughout the Amazon and Guyana rivers (Peru, Brasil, Venezuela, Guiana, Surinam).
Maximum Size
Approx. 50 cm. (20") TL.
Specimen over 35 cm. (14") TL are quite rare in captivity.
Minimum tank size
This piranha requires a very spaceous tank: the recommended tank size for a adult specimen is 150x50x50 cm. (60x20x20").
Juvenile specimen can be kept in a smaller tank: minimum 60x30x30 cm. (24x12x12").
Tank Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred.
Compatible Species
None: being a parasitic fin-nipper and very agressive towards other fish, the Rhombeus Piranha should be kept alone.
Breeding
No instances of captive breeding have been reported as of yet.
Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), shrimp, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mamal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
On rare occasions this species accepts vegetables, nuts seeds or fruit as well.
Serrasalmus sanchezi
South America: Ucayali River basin.
Maximum Size
Approx. 13 cm. (6") TL.
Minimum tank size
Recommended tank size for an adult specimen is at least 80x40x40 cm. (32x16x16").
Juvenile specimen can be kept in a smaller tank: minimum 60x30x30 cm. (24x12x12").
Tank Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred.
Compatible Species
Although this species has succesfully been kept in a group, it is highly recommended to keep the Sanchezi Piranha as a solitary fish: it remains a parasitic and highly agressive species.
Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), shrimp, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mamal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
Serrasalmus spilopleura
Amazonas Basin, Guaporé River
Maximum Size
Approx. 22 cm. (9") TL.
Specimen over 18 cm. (7") TL are rare in captivity.
Minimum tank size
Recommended tank size for an adult specimen is 120x45x50 cm. (48x18x20").
Juvenile specimen can be kept in a smaller tank: minimum 60x30x30 cm. (24x12x12").
Tank Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred.
Compatible Species
Although this species has succesfully been kept in a group, it is highly recommended to keep the Spilopleura Piranha as a solitary fish: it remains a parasitic and highly agressive species.
Breeding
Few instances of captive breeding. Probably one of the more prolific species of piranha, especially if tank raised.
Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), shrimp, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mamal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
On rare occasions this species accepts vegetables, nuts seeds or fruit as well.
Serrasalmus rhombeus (Black Piranha)
Widespread, found throughout the Amazon and Guyana rivers (Peru, Brasil, Venezuela, Guiana, Surinam).
Maximum Size
Approx. 50 cm. (20") TL.
Specimen over 35 cm. (14") TL are quite rare in captivity.
Minimum tank size
This piranha requires a very spaceous tank: the recommended tank size for a adult specimen is 150x50x50 cm. (60x20x20").
Juvenile specimen can be kept in a smaller tank: minimum 60x30x30 cm. (24x12x12").
Tank Requirements
Plants, drift wood or rocks provide hiding places, the tank lights should be dimmed.
Heavy filtration required to deal with the large amounts of waste this fish produces. A powerhead can be added to provide currents.
Water temperature
24-29 degrees Celsius (76-84 degrees Fahrenheit).
Water chemistry
pH should be between 6.0 - 8.0, ideal is slightly acidic to neutral water: pH 6.5 - 7.2
Soft water is preferred.
Compatible Species
None: being a parasitic fin-nipper and very agressive towards other fish, the Rhombeus Piranha should be kept alone.
Breeding
No instances of captive breeding have been reported as of yet.
Diet
Fish (whole, fillet or feeders *), shrimp, cockles, mussels, squid, insects, earth worms, pellets.
Food items such as poultry, mamal meat and organ meat should be fed sparcely: once or twice a month at most. Meat needs to be unseasoned and trimmed of any fat.
On rare occasions this species accepts vegetables, nuts seeds or fruit as well.
