Red Bellied Piranha

Red Bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Family: Characidae • Origin: Various

Red Bellied Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is a aggressive tetra reaching 12 inches. Keep in groups of 4+. Minimum tank: 75 gallons.

Min Tank
75 gal
Max Size
12"
Temperature
75-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
15 years
School Size
4+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
aggressiveadvancedcarnivoreschooling

Care Tips

  • • Max size: 12"
  • • Temp: 75-82°F
  • • pH: 6-7.5
  • • Schooling: keep 4+
  • • aggressive temperament

Feeding: Standard carnivore diet appropriate for Characidae.

Compatibility Notes: Typical aggressive Characidae species.

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size
75 gallons
Recommended Tank Size
113 gallons
Swimming Level
middle
Minimum School Size
4+ fish

Water Parameters

Temperature
75–82°F
pH Range
6–7.5
Hardness (dGH)
5–15
Water Type
freshwater

Behavior & Temperament

Temperament
aggressive
Aggression Level
4/5
Schooling
Yes
Territorial
Yes
Fin Nipper
No
Predatory
Yes
Diet Type
carnivore
Growth Rate
fast

Typical aggressive Characidae species.

Breeding

Breeding Type
egg layer
Breeding Difficulty
difficult
Lifespan
15 years

Ideal For

75 gallon

Compatible Tank Mates

View all →
Serpae Tetra

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon eques

Easy
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Betta Fish

Betta Fish

Betta splendens

Easy
76-82°FpH 6.5-7.55+ gal
semi-aggressive3"
Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami

Trichogaster lalius

Easy
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Tiger Barb

Tiger Barb

Puntigrus tetrazona

Easy
74-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
Angelfish

Angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Easy
76-84°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Easy
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"

Similar Species

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Bucktooth Tetra

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