Will the 6" Black Piranha be ok in a 36" x 18" x 18" Tank?

The current owner says its perfect because it is a Black Piranha ...

What do you mean by a black piranha? A S. rhombeus?

Yep

eventually it will need something like a 5x2x2

For short term it should be fine. Certainly better than what it has now. Long term, no.

It would have to live in the tank for atleast a year ...

What size tank is he in now? Is that your rbp in the 75 per your sig?

It would definitely have to be short term if you did. They grow really slow but still need some room.

Here's a pic of my S. rhombeus if you're interested...

Nice fish. Do you know the locality by any chance?

The current owner has him in a 38 ...

Yes my red belly is in the 75g

If i were you, i would just get a sanchezi because itll be happy in a 50 gallon for the rest of its life. An irritan should be fine too, they are a little bit more aggressive though. Rhoms are just way too big and keeping something that can take your hand off in less than a second when you do maintenance doesnt seem all that great.

I like it that you dissuade people from getting a piranha. I'm not being sarcastic but serious.

Piranha's are next to goldfish as the most mistreated fish in the hobby so I do my best when replying in most threads to make them not want one in my first replies in general.

The irritan and sanchezi, like you said, are both great choices for this size tank but neither is more aggressive than the other. it comes down to individual fish.

The S. rhombeus when larger is able to take your hand off at the wrist based upon their large sharp teeth and extremely great biting power but once you've had piranhas you'll learn when and when not to test them. You'll be able to tell by the way they look at you, in all seriousness, if they don't want to be messed with. Also, by the way they lean and position their bodies is another great way to tell if you should be sticking your hand in there.

Your point is correct, nonetheless, and I won't even try arguing it that keeping large Serasalmus rhombeus can be dangerous and possible to lose whole hands if you don't know piranhas very well.



Thank you very much. Not exactly sure, tbh. I'm thinking it could be from Guyana or Peru.

This post has been edited by Gatorbait: Aug 2 2008, 12:35 AM

I was thinking Peru too. It doesn't really look like a Guyana to me and it certainly isn't a xingu.

Well, first of all, I really appreciate you accusing me of dissuading him of getting a piranha, cause I am guessing sanchezis or irritans arent piranhas. You say that rhoms are dangerous if you dont know piranhas well, the thing is that you just described piranha tim. Hes still learning, nothing wrong with that, but cmon, a rhom for a guy thats just starting to keep fish? I doubt he knows about the sideways tilt towards people that piranhas do. I am sure you agree that rhoms arent for those who havent kept piranhas before and havent been keeping fish for very long. I just suggested him a different one because its obvious that a rhom would be a bad choice if hes not even familiar the housing requirements. As with the sanchezi and irritan issue, that was a general statement. Sure it all depends on the fish, but this was based off of my own observations and many readings. Just because a fish is endangered or I live in a state where some fish are illegal doesnt mean its hard to get a hold of them. Im not saying that I have endangered fish though. Just easing your minds.

Good job taking my post way out of context. I was giving you a compliment and you just think I was being a sarcastic. Oh well w/e.

Per the rhom. it takes 12 years for a rhom to get anywhere near close to large enough towrds full size so yes, I do believe in that time he will learn a piranha's characteristics. At $800+ I highly doubt a beginner will buy a full grown rhombeus. No, that doesn't mean I think he should get one or not but if he wants one and knows about them there's no difference between a rhom, sanchezi or irritans in the first few years as far as care or housing and by that time he's not a beginner anymore.

I agree with you that a snachezi and irritans is a better choice but not because you say he doesn't know the housing requirements of a rhom. It's easy to say a rhom will get to 16" and need a tank large enough to hold him. There, now he knows the housing requirements of a S. rhombeus.

From what I read, S. Rhombeus could easily take your hand off, so are you sure you really want one?

This post has been edited by Genesis: Aug 4 2008, 10:48 AM

A full grown one might be able to as the above posts have mentioned.

Well atleast you've been warned Tim

I'd personally listen to the peoples advice, especially seeing the state of pirahna's that are mistreated.
I think you ow it to the fish, if not yourself