The San Francisco Piranha is also called the Blacktail Piranha or the Giant Orange Piranha. It is one of the largest piranhas, reaching a maximum length of 23 inches and considered the most beautiful with the orange to yellow belly color ratio, silver eyes, and rayed fibrous adipose fine. The lower jaw is thick, strong, and protruding.
Location: Animals Formerly at Zoo
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Range
San Francisco Piranha live in South America in the San Francisco River basin In Brazil
Habitat
Tropical freshwater near oceans and open seas
Conservation Status
Primary Threats
Gestation
After being fertilized the eggs attach to the plants around them. Eggs hatch within a few days of being fertilized.
Litter
Up to a few thousand
Behavior
Piranhas can be very aggressive, especially during mating and when extremely hungry. This species is not schooling fish, but typically hunt alone and exist in solitude.
Reproduction
Female finds a spot in the sand and sweeps some away with her tail. The eggs are laid in the saucer shaped depression. This occurs mainly in October.
Wild Diet
Piranhas are omnivorous, but when hungry, stressed, or seeking live food can be aggressive. Piranhas prefer to eat small fish and insects, along with seeds and aquatic plant material.
Zoo Diet
