Exploring Belize's Waters: Piranha Presence And Safety

Piranhas are native to the central and southern river systems of South America, but they have been discovered in other parts of the world, including the US, Bangladesh, and China. But are there piranhas in Belize?

Belize is home to a diverse range of freshwater fish species, and while it may be a fisherman's paradise, piranhas are not commonly found in the country. However, a relative of the piranha, the pacu, has been discovered in the New River Lagoon in the Orange Walk District of Belize.

The pacu, scientifically known as Piaractus brachypomus, is an omnivorous fish that shares similarities with piranhas. It is believed that the presence of pacu in Belize is likely due to escapes or releases from captive husbandry or aquaculture situations in neighbouring countries or the local aquarium trade.

While piranhas themselves are not commonly found in Belize, the country offers a range of fishing opportunities and is considered a world-class fishing destination.

Piranha natural habitat

Piranhas are freshwater fish native to the central and southern river systems of South America. They inhabit tropical rivers and streams and are often found in murky water. They are most diverse in the Amazon River, where 20 different species are found, but they are also found in the Orinoco, Paraguay–Paraná, and the São Francisco River systems.

Piranhas are typically found in tropical rivers and streams, as well as lakes, floodplains, and reservoirs. They prefer warm, slow-moving waters and are often found in areas with dense vegetation or tree roots that provide shelter.

The Amazon River and its tributaries are home to the greatest number of piranha species, with 25 out of the 38-39 recognized species. The Orinoco River is a close second, with 16 species. The Paraguay–Paraná and São Francisco River systems have fewer species, with only three and two species respectively.

Piranhas have a reputation for being ferocious man-eaters, but this is largely exaggerated. While they do have strong jaws and sharp teeth, and can be dangerous to humans in rare cases, most species are scavengers or feed on plant material. They are considered omnivorous, with their primary source of food being fish, followed by small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and crustaceans.

Piranha diet

Piranhas are native to the central and southern river systems of South America, inhabiting tropical rivers and streams, and they are often found in murky waters. They inhabit both still and moving sections of the vast freshwater Amazon River basin system. They are also found in the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela and the Paraná River in Argentina.

Piranhas are omnivores, with a diet consisting of fins nipped from the tails of larger fish, bits of flesh, whole small fish, insects, aquatic invertebrates, and occasionally, plant material in the form of figs and other ripe fruit. In captivity, they can be fed a gelatin diet (a mixture of greens, proteins, and micronutrients in a gelatin base), smelt, shrimp, herring, and earthworms.

Red-bellied piranhas, one of the few carnivorous piranha species, have a reputation for being ferocious man-eaters, but they rarely attack and rarely kill humans. They are found in the Amazon River basin and have red undersides, with gray bodies flecked with bright silver scales. They can grow to be a little over a foot long (30.5 centimeters) and weigh up to 4 pounds (about 1.8 kilograms).

In the wild, smaller piranhas search for food during the day, while larger ones tend to be more active at dawn and dusk. They tend to travel in schools of 20 or more individuals.

Piranha behaviour

Piranhas are often portrayed as ferocious, bloodthirsty monsters, but their behaviour is far more nuanced. They are social fish that exhibit signs of communication with each other and with other species. While some species, like the Black Piranha, are solitary, many others, like the Red-Bellied Piranha, live in large shoals in the Amazon basin.

Piranha shoals typically consist of around 20 fish, with one or several dominant individuals. The dominant fish takes the best spot in the school, feeds first, and is generally more aggressive. It will also command the group, and any fish that don't comply will be met with aggression, chasing, or wounding.

Piranhas swim in schools primarily for protection against predators found in the Amazon region, such as jaguars, caimans, river dolphins, and alligators. The fish on the outer edges of the school will fend off the predator, potentially getting wounded, while those in the middle stay calm and prepare to scare the predator away. Piranhas are also capable of 'barking'—making sounds to warn predators that they are ready to fight back.

Piranhas are scavengers and omnivores, consuming both meat and plants. They will feed on smaller fish, amphibians, insects, crustaceans, and small land animals in the water. They rest under trees to catch falling fruits, bird eggs, and insects, and they know when young birds have hatched, waiting below the trees in the hopes that they might fall. If they can't get their prey, they will feed on plants, as they are well-adapted to these environments.

During the dry season, when food is scarce, piranhas may turn to cannibalism, biting off the fins of their fellow fish. They may also kill and eat sick or wounded fish. A single drop of blood can attract a shoal of piranhas from a good distance away, and the Red-Bellied Piranha, in particular, is drawn to the smell of blood.

Piranhas are protective of their young, and will bite humans in the water if they sense a threat to their nests during mating season. Male and female piranhas form pairs and swim together in synchronised circles during the breeding season, which is typically from April to May. The male gently nips at the female's fins to stimulate her to release her eggs, after which he fertilises them. Both parents then defend the eggs until they hatch.

Piranha in captivity

Piranhas are shoaling fish that belong to the family Serrasalmidae and are related to pacu, silver dollars, and tetras. They are native to the central and southern river systems of South America, inhabiting tropical rivers, streams, and murky waters. Piranhas are banned as pets in many areas, especially in the southern United States, due to their aggressive reputation and specific needs.

Water requirements:

In the wild, piranhas are found in soft, low pH water. However, red-bellied piranhas, the most common species in the aquarium trade, are now often raised in water with a higher pH and alkalinity. The pH should be between 6.5 and 7.8, alkalinity between 3° and 8°, and the temperature between 75° and 80° F. Piranhas are sensitive to temperature changes and prone to certain diseases if the temperature is too low.

Housing requirements:

Baby piranhas can be kept in aquariums as small as 20 gallons, but adults require at least 100 gallons or more. They prefer a well-decorated aquarium with a dark substrate and subdued lighting and need a secure lid to prevent them from jumping out. A slightly oversized filter or multiple filters are recommended as piranhas are messy eaters.

Behavior and compatibility:

Young piranhas school together for protection from larger predators, but adults tend to hang out in loose groups. Some experts recommend keeping them individually or in groups of five or more to avoid cannibalism. Piranhas are shy and skittish, especially when kept singly or when first introduced to an aquarium. They are not typically aggressive, but they should be kept alone as they are known to be territorial.

Diet:

Piranhas are often described as extremely predatory, but their diet varies, and they are classified as omnivores. In the wild, they feed on fish, crustaceans, insects, plants, fruits, nuts, and seeds. In captivity, young piranhas thrive on tropical flakes, pellets, and frozen fish foods. Adults can be fed cichlid pellets, frozen krill, and other large frozen fish foods. It is important to avoid mammalian foods like chicken and beef heart, as these may contain fats that can be harmful to piranhas.

Breeding:

Piranhas can breed in captivity, and it is recommended to keep them in groups of six or more for best results. They lay their eggs in pits, and the eggs hatch within 3 to 5 days, depending on the temperature.

Piranha in popular culture

Piranhas have long been a fixture of popular culture, often portrayed as vicious man-eaters. This stereotype can be traced back, at least in part, to former US President Theodore Roosevelt, who encountered them on a trip to South America in 1913. In his subsequent book, 'Through the Brazilian Wilderness', Roosevelt described piranhas as "the most ferocious fish in the world", recounting tales of them devouring an entire cow and mutilating swimmers. This depiction was further popularised by Hollywood, most notably in the 1978 cult film 'Piranha' and its 2010 remake, which depicted the fish as bloodthirsty monsters.

However, in recent years, scientists have sought to rewrite the fearsome image of piranhas. While they do have sharp teeth and some species are carnivorous, piranhas are not the ruthless predators they are often made out to be. In fact, they are typically timid and school for protection rather than hunting. Their dietary habits vary, and they are now classified as omnivorous, feeding on plant material as well as fish and other meat.

Despite this, piranhas remain a popular fixture in film and media. The 'Piranha' film series, which began in 1978, has spawned multiple sequels and remakes, with the most recent instalment released in 2012. Piranhas have also made appearances in other films, such as 'Mega Piranha' (2010) and 'River Monsters: Deadliest Demon Fish' (2009). They have even inspired a dangerous chemical mixture known as the "piranha solution", which aggressively dissolves organic material.

In popular culture, piranhas are often associated with South America, where they are native to the central and southern river systems. They have become something of a tourist attraction in the region, with some travellers seeking out the thrill of swimming in piranha-infested waters. While attacks on humans are rare, they are known to occur, particularly when the fish are stressed due to low water levels or scarce food sources.

Frequently asked questions