Wimple Piranhas

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Technically, these aren't Ps and, thus, may be more suitable to be discussed in the Characins Forum. But it's all about the name, and lastly, I figure any member who may have kept them in the past will probably hang out here in the piranha section

I saw them at SA and have been thinking about my 75 gal ... seems like the perfect home for them: Just a few spotted raphaels and various plecos - but also an 18'' goldline knife. Let's put it this way: I am not worried about the knife eating the Wimples... I've read that Wimples eat scales off their prey. Well, knives don't have scales. But I've also seen George's Wimples eat feeders. Not that an 18'' knife is snack-size, but I'd hate to see it damaged. You get the idea.

Q: Has anyone here kept Wimples before? Experiences? With or without tankmates? Single or shoal?

Thanks,
HarleyK

Ps
for those interested, --> HERE <-- is a species summary:

 

[Diogenes]

Howdy,

Technically, these aren't Ps and, thus, may be more suitable to be discussed in the Characins Forum. But it's all about the name, and lastly, I figure any member who may have kept them in the past will probably hang out here in the piranha section

I saw them at SA and have been thinking about my 75 gal ... seems like the perfect home for them: Just a few spotted raphaels and various plecos - but also an 18'' goldline knife. Let's put it this way: I am not worried about the knife eating the Wimples... I've read that Wimples eat scales off their prey. Well, knives don't have scales. But I've also seen George's Wimples eat feeders. Not that an 18'' knife is snack-size, but I'd hate to see it damaged. You get the idea.

Q: Has anyone here kept Wimples before? Experiences? With or without tankmates? Single or shoal?

Thanks,
HarleyK

Ps
for those interested, --> HERE <-- is a species summary:

I've never kept them but I've always heard they need to be kept solo.

 

[dudey]

I've never kept them but I've always heard they need to be kept solo.

nah they are a shoaling fish, never have kept them though. Would be awesome to see a shoal of whimples. Sorry I am not too much of a help harley..

 

[cepon3]

I had a shoal of maybe 8 of these little guys. And personally I wouldn't risk it with your knife.. even though these fish are extremely skittish, once they settle in I don't doubt they would take passes at your knife..

 

[jp80911]

never kept them before, actually it was first time I see them in person at SA last weekend.
the only info about them that I know of is on OPEFE
http://opefe.com/genusCatoprion.html

 

[Arok3000]

Did you mean "Wimpel" Piranha?
I would love a shoal of these. They are definately next on my list.

 

[Greez]

Did you mean "Wimpel" Piranha?
I would love a shoal of these. They are definately next on my list.

No I doubt he means Wimpel since its spelled Wimple lol

But if you don't believe me look up Wimpel piranha and see if it asks you if you mean Wimple Piranha

 

[HarleyK]

Did you mean "Wimpel" Piranha?
I would love a shoal of these. They are definately next on my list.

No I doubt he means Wimpel since its spelled Wimple lol

But if you don't believe me look up Wimpel piranha and see if it asks you if you mean Wimple Piranha

You are both right: The common name Wimpel derives from German word for the banner-like filaments that extend out from the dorsal fin. According to Bleher, Harald Schultz gave the fish that name when he discovered it. H.R. Axelrod was with him and Axelrod misspelled the word when using it in his books as wimple. (copy/paste from HERE)
But fact is that the wrong spelling stuck

never kept them before, actually it was first time I see them in person at SA last weekend.

I've been looking for these for exactly one year now, and I had already given up when I combined fish in my 75 gal

Bottom line, no one here has kept them, yet. They used to be quite pricey in the late 1980s, costing about $150 each!!!

HarleyK

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

Are you going through with picking them up?

Been a minute, nice to see you guys again btw

 

[ahnarip]

this wimpel seems like a great oddball fish to keep..for around 20 dollars cant beat it. im also trying to find one.....was surprised to learn they werent banned around these neck of the woods. please post any pics if you get one....