Redeye piranha

The redeye piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus), also known as the black piranha, white piranha, spotted piranha or yellow piranha, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, which includes the pacus, piranhas and related fishes. It is found in northern South America. It is the type species of the genus Serrasalmus.

Habitat

The redeye piranha occurs in a wide variety of habitats but the adults have a preference for the larger, deeper river channels where they normally hunt for prey either in deep stretches or in the vicinity of rapids. The juveniles are most frequently recorded in stiller stretches where there is thick submerged or marginal vegetation. Paler coloured fish tend to be found in turbid white waters, while in clear or dark waters, dark fish predominate. These fish are opportunistic and omnivorous feeders which will eat plants, fallen fruits and animals smaller than themselves such as insects and small fishes. They will also eat the scales and fins which they can nip off other fishes. They are well known scavengers, and feed on carcasses within the river. This is not a sociable species and normally lives solitarily. At least when breeding they defend an area around the nest which is placed among thick vegetation.

Distribution

The redeye piranha is found in northern South America, east of the Andes. They are found in the drainage systems of the Amazon and Orinoco as well as the Essequibo River and other rivers of the Guiana Shield and the coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. It has been introduced to Florida but is now extirpated.