Can I Keep Piranas In This?

[Ginge]

Can i keep red bellies pirhanas in this tank???
http/www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/juwel-trigon-o-31.html

 

[guppy_man]

i would say its a bit small for piranhas, i thought they needed a big tank becasue they live in shoals, correct me if im wrong

 

[Ginge]

I knew it was big i just didnt know how big. I think that is 50G and i heard they need around 20G each and was wondering if i could get 3 and pust that stocking level a bit??? Don't grill me.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I really doubt it if it's a 50 gal tank; if you're talking about red-bellies they grow big, and piranhas are very messy fish=massive filtration. But no doubt somebody who knows what they're talking about will come online soon.

 

[emma12321]

Hello,

red bellys get 12-14 inches and should be in groups of 6+ to even out aggression, try keeping 3 and it would soon be 1, they also need lenght to the tank so i would say even the trigon 350 isn't suitable. Personally i'd go wih a 6' by 2' by 2' for a decent sized shoal.

Emma

 

[Ginge]

Yeah thanks i didn't think it was going to happen. Are you adament on the 6x2x2 i was thinking of saving for a 5x2x2

 

[atmmachine816]

I belive it's AMS who is the pirhana expert wait for him and you wilil be fine.

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

A rio 400 would be do-able have a look on www.piranhaforum.co.uk (don't worry mods its only piranhas)
and see what people there keep.

Emma

 

[AMS]

Not all piranhas live in shoals, in fact almost all do not. Red bellies require at least a 75 gallon tank and 20 gallons per fish. So up to 4 in a 75, but NONE in a 50 as it is too small. Red bellies get up to 18 inches in the wild, but up to 12 (12 inches rare in captivity) but still a 50 gallon tank is far too small. Red bellies do not need to be kept in shoals of at least 6, a minimum of 3 is reccomended, I keep mine in a shoal of 4 and they are fine. So this tank is a no-no for red bellies.

BUT, a sanchezi, wimple, or a compressus will be good. (though it may be a bit too far of a strecth for a compressus). PLease refer to the pinned "Piranha Keeping 101" on this section for piranha help.

Im sorry I couldnt give you a more in depth response, but Ive been quite busy with all the piranha PM's with people asking for advice about piranhas

 

[Nevergone815]

Not all piranhas live in shoals, in fact almost all do not. Red bellies require at least a 75 gallon tank and 20 gallons per fish. So up to 4 in a 75, but NONE in a 50 as it is too small. Red bellies get up to 18 inches in the wild, but up to 12 (12 inches rare in captivity) but still a 50 gallon tank is far too small. Red bellies do not need to be kept in shoals of at least 6, a minimum of 3 is reccomended, I keep mine in a shoal of 4 and they are fine. So this tank is a no-no for red bellies.

BUT, a sanchezi, wimple, or a compressus will be good. (though it may be a bit too far of a strecth for a compressus). PLease refer to the pinned "Piranha Keeping 101" on this section for piranha help.

Im sorry I couldnt give you a more in depth response, but Ive been quite busy with all the piranha PM's with people asking for advice about piranhas

sorry i am one of those people with the PMs . but knowing your rep i knew you would be on here once i saw the topic. here is some of my messages that i had with AMS via PM. i hop it helps

ME

well i don't have a tank set up yet, but i just want to research them first. i don't really want to get larger than 150 US gal (if that is possible) as i don't have a lot of room or money.

well i was looking for things that didn't get more than like 10-12". i want them to be able to be in a small school (a pair or trio) or even single (if possible), but will make exceptions as i know that this probably won't be possible. i just want to get a tank that is going to fit my budget. i basically want something that stays small. water conditions aren't a big deal as i will be keeping them in a species tank and will accustome the conditions to their liking. if you need more specific info please let me know.

AMS' REPLY

Well, you have got quite a few options here. Yes, there are many piranha that can (and should) be kept singly. Fitting that description you said above, to name a few you choices are:
Serrasalmus compressus
Serrasalmus geryi ($250 so may be too pricey)
Serrasalmus sanchezi
Serrasalmus spilopleura
Serrasalmus elongatus
Serrasalmus altuvei
Pristobrycon striolatus (impossible to find so is probably not an option)
Catoprion mento (not an actual piranha but I highly reccomend these)

If you have any questions about any one of these certain species to be shy to ask. If I were in your situation, I would go for the Catoprion mento aka Wimple piranha. It only grows to 5 inches so a 29 gallon aquarium is sufficient. Its quite hardy, but is difficult to find in stock. It ha lots of personality and acts exactly like a piranha, though its not given the title due to the teeth alignment (though still razor sharp).
[/QUOTE]

 

[AMS]

No need to say sorry nevergone! That is why I am here, to offer my advice!

 

[*Lucifer*]

well, i have a 500 litre 5ft x 2ft x 2ft, with six red bellies in. they live very happily there, we may upgrade to a bigger tank when space is availalbe but for now they are more than comfortable in there! if u r seriously considering getting some obviosly in a larger tank, then thay are beautiful fish to have, with loads character, are fantastic to watch and will never bore you, just make sure u r willing to put in the effort with them because they are messy fish and do need lost of tender loving care by maintaining their home.

hope this lil bit of info helps

Lucifer

 

[Ginge]

Ever get bitten???

 

[AMS]

Being bitten by a piranha is highly unlikely. Piranhas are skittish by nature, and putting hands in the tank just makes them hide in a corner. But, juvenile red bellies can be nippy, and are a lot more prone to nipping than adults.

I used to proudly display that I have never gotten bitten by piranhas, but I cant say that anymore just until recently. I was feeding my Red bellies live earthworms (with gloves!) and I hate when the worms hit to gravel as the red bellies show no interest in them and then I have to scoop them out. So I was carefully wiggling the worms on the surface of the water and I let them drop when the piranhas are underneath so the get a clear view of them and gobble them right up. One red belly was showing no interest in this worm, so I plunged it about 3-4 inches below the surface of the water, in a flash he was over at the worm at his tooth dragged along from the middle of my thumb to the end of my finger nail. QUITE PAINFUL! I am extremly lucky that I didnt get bit more severly, but it goes to show you what they can do when they are hungry!

 

[Nevergone815]

Being bitten by a piranha is highly unlikely. Piranhas are skittish by nature, and putting hands in the tank just makes them hide in a corner. But, juvenile red bellies can be nippy, and are a lot more prone to nipping than adults.

I used to proudly display that I have never gotten bitten by piranhas, but I cant say that anymore just until recently. I was feeding my Red bellies live earthworms (with gloves!) and I hate when the worms hit to gravel as the red bellies show no interest in them and then I have to scoop them out. So I was carefully wiggling the worms on the surface of the water and I let them drop when the piranhas are underneath so the get a clear view of them and gobble them right up. One red belly was showing no interest in this worm, so I plunged it about 3-4 inches below the surface of the water, in a flash he was over at the worm at his tooth dragged along from the middle of my thumb to the end of my finger nail. QUITE PAINFUL! I am extremly lucky that I didnt get bit more severly, but it goes to show you what they can do when they are hungry!

but those instances are rare. and in this case it was from stupidity really (no offence AMS). playing with live food with a hungry piranha is like asking a shark to just take a nibble from the dead bloody fish bait . did you need stitches or was it just a surface cut? by you saying "lucky" i am guessing that it just scraped the surface kind of and hurt a lot.

but AMS has told me also that they don't really bite, its extremely rare. i was skiddish about it like you Ginge, but turns out that piranhas are more skiddish than you are. they will run and hide from your hands when in the tank.