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Wed, Dec. 25: The Zoo will be closed for daytime admission and for Zoo Lights. Happy Holidays!
All Animals

Red-Bellied Piranha

Their triangular, razor sharp teeth interlock neatly, allowing piranhas to bite down with incredible force and shearing ability. The teeth are not usually visible, being covered by thick, fleshy lips. In the wild, a good portion of their diet consists of fins nipped from the tails of larger fish. Males have a much more intense red belly than the females, especially during breeding season.

red-bellied piranha fish swimming under water

Animal Facts

Scientific Name

Pygocentrus nattereri

Range

Wide ranging throughout the freshwater Amazon River basin system in South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela

Location in the Zoo

Carruth Natural Encounters

Cool Animal Fact

Red-bellied piranhas have a lifespan of 10 years or more.