Piranhas are dangerous and extremely voracious fish. Their existence is shrouded in countless frightening myths and legends, and they even appear in horror films. It's believed that even crocodiles avoid these bloodthirsty monsters. Piranhas belong to the genus Characin.
This is rather odd, since the same group includes "peaceful" tetras, neons, and minnows. They are similar to our Cypriniformes. However, there are over 50 species of piranha, and most are not at all aggressive, feeding on algae. The size of the fish depends on their diet. Herbivores grow up to a meter in length and weigh a considerable amount, while carnivores are usually no more than 30 cm.
Where do piranhas live?
They are found in the freshwater of South America, typically at the mouths of rivers such as the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata. They can also be seen in other bodies of water near Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Small colonies can be observed in Mexico, USA, Europe.
Young fish are very aggressive and search for prey in schools. Adults prefer solitude, hunting while standing at their "post," waiting for unsuspecting fish. They spend the rest of their time hiding in cover.
Piranhas have the nickname "underwater wolves" because they river cleanersBoth camps are beneficial: herbivores clear rivers of excess vegetation and fallen trees, while carnivores scavenge for carrion. Where piranhas are present, the water is free of pollution and decay.
The appearance of the fish
The piranha's body is flat, rounded, and laterally compressed. The dorsal and anal fins are elongated, and the tail is wide. the eyes are bulging and largeThe coloration depends on the species and diet. Olive-gray-green and dark blue colors are most common on the upper part, while the piranha's sides are lighter. With with a silvery-gray tint.
The lower fins and belly are mostly reddish in color. The tip of the tail is edged with a black line. Juveniles can be distinguished from adults by dark spots on the sides, which disappear over time.
Its most distinctive feature is its jaws, which are found nowhere else in the wild.
- The triangular teeth reach 5 mm in length. They are plate-shaped, slightly curved inward, and incredibly sharp. This makes them easy to handle, tearing their prey apart or slicing off chunks of flesh. They can even bite through small sticks and bones.
- The jaw is unique. When it clenches, the upper and lower teeth push into the sinuses, creating tremendous pressure. Its action can be compared to a trap.
- Its grip strength is measured at 320 newtons, unmatched in the animal kingdom. The pressure generated by its jaws closing is 30 times its weight.
- An adult piranha can easily remove a finger from a human. Locals living near piranha-infested waters have adapted to using their scissor-like jaws, which they use to shave.
Now you have an idea of what a piranha looks like. This fish reproduces by laying eggsThis period lasts from March to August. During spawning, the female lays thousands of eggs, which are then guarded by the male.
Features of piranhas
This fish, in addition to the amazing structure of its jaws, is also distinguished by the ability to make soundsFor example, when on land, it barks like a dog; during lunch, it can demonstrate "playing the drum"; to scare off its own kind, it uses "croaking," and when approaching another individual, the fish croaks.
Scientists have determined that the variety of sounds it produces is due to its swim bladder, which it contracts with its muscles. The sound it produces depends on the speed at which it contracts.
At the piranha excellent hearing and sense of smellThe victim, having found himself at a distance of more than 6 km, will no longer be able to escape, since he will be scented by a drop of blood.
Enemies of the Piranha
This small fish is unaffected by larger specimens or larger predators, which, incidentally, have themselves become their prey. However, these fish do have enemies:
River dolphins. They even hunt a school of piranha.- Arapaima. This is a huge fish with incredibly tough scales, making it comparable to a fossil. If a piranha gets separated from its school, it will die.
- Caimans are very dangerous enemies of piranhas. They regulate the fish's population. It has been observed that when the caiman population in rivers decreased, the piranha population increased.
River dolphins. They even hunt a school of piranha.Piranhas are increasingly being spotted in the waters of European and Russian countries. This isn't a freak of nature, but the fault of inexperienced aquarists who, unable to care for the fish properly, decide to release them into the wild.
Europeans and Russians have nothing to fear, because the fish does not live in cold watersWhen winter comes, they will all die. A comfortable temperature for them is between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius.
The piranha is a fish that can easily adapt to new habitats. It thrives in an aquarium, which is why many people try to breed it. However, it's important to keep in mind its food preferences, as it's a predatory fish.
She needs it feed properly, their diet predominantly consists of small fish such as sprat and capelin. Remember safety precautions.
Is this predatory fish edible?
This fish is quite voracious. There are many stories that exemplify this characteristic. For example, there's a well-known case of a pig that fell into the water, only to be stripped bare to the bones in a matter of minutes by a school of piranhas. Fishermen eager to feast on piranhas often become victims.
They are caught because the fish meat is edible, resembles perch. It's often eaten fried. It's caught with a rod, but anglers must be very careful, as the fish can bite off a finger.
Thus, we can conclude that the piranha is an animal that is essential for a favorable ecological state of nature, the extermination of which will lead to an imbalance, when the risk of epidemic outbreaks and infections in water bodies becomes high.
