Red-bellied Piranha Pygocentrus nattereri

The sparkling, diamond-flanked Red-bellied Piranha is native to rivers, flooded forests, streams and lakes of much of the northern half of South America.

They can grow to over 35cm long. They live in shoals for protection against predators (caimans, herons, dolphins).

They do not always have red bellies and when they do, the extent of the red varies. Some other piranhas also have red or orange bellies.

Despite their reputation as aggressive carnivores, they are mainly omnivore scavengers, eating invertebrates, small fish and birds but also fruit and plants. Piranhas are unusual for their sharp triangular teeth which interlock together and are efficient at cutting flesh.

They can communicate with sounds.

Above centre is not the fearsome Black Piranha despite the wholly black fins and tails. Although the juveniles do have sparkling spots, which they lose in adulthood, the eyes are not red (juveniles have less bright red eyes) and the Black Piranha is a solitary, non-schooling fish. These are very dark Red-bellieds.