How To Care For Piranhas

we currently have six piranha they are only babies about three inches long and think one might be pregnant it alwys sits inside the tube we bought and the others seem to guard it how can we find out if they are pregnant

what sort of size tank do you think i would need for 3 pirahnas?

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE 13 PIRANAHS, WE'VE HAD THEM FOR 7 MONTHS NOW, THEY ARE ABOUT 7 TO 8 INCHES LONG BUT ONE OF THEM LOOKS PREGNANT, SHE KEEPS TO HERSELF IN ONE CORNER AND SNAPS AT THE OTHERS IF THEY GET CLOSE, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME IF MAYBE SHE IS OR THEY HAVE TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE TO BE PREGNANY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATED.

I think i'll get about six so they will be happy in a shoal

I've never been a fish owner, but you should probably keep goldfish and other, smaller, fish before trying out piranha's. :D

I have had my piranah (Fred) for the last four years, I resuced him from the docks. He has always been on his own and I have wonder if this was best for him. I feed him on small fish and would like to know if there are any other piranah foods that would be good for him. He has a V.large tank with plenty of shade, can I put any toys in there? or fish that he won't eat.

I kept red bellly piranhas for years and would add to this. Frozen food should be thawed and fed at tank water temperature not cold or they will spit it out. Feed every 3 or 4 days. I fed mine algae pellets and other fishfood products to ensure they get all their nutrients as well as meat and seafood . Avoid oily food as it will sit on the water surface and hinder oxygen circulation. They do jump so a lid is essential. Mine grew to around 10 inches so a 5ft tank is a minimum size i would say. Also the tanks i used had extra thick glass. Avoid cheap ornamental tanks. Cleanliness with these fish is a must, lots of partial water changes and good quality (eheim) filters. They do liquid poos which have high levels of ammonia. Just because the water looks clean dosnt mean it is. I always kept in groups of 3 or 4. Its quite normal for them to take chunks out of each others fins, these will heal on their own fast. They live many years with the right conditions. My main tank was in the living room and my fish were very calm and quite tame. I had bog wood to soften the water and to add tannin to mimic the water in the wild. Plenty of plants though they do rip these up. A colored piece of plastic between the lights and the water to dim the glare. Always rinse arms and hands with clean water before doing tank mantinence to avoid introducing any soap and chemicals. If your going to be frightened avoid this fish as you do need to put your arms in quite often to replant etc. I was never bitten though some liked to nudge me. The power of these fish is quite awesome.They make lovely pets but i would say you need to be experienced as a fish keeper before trying this species.

where do i get a black belly