View source for Piranha

{{Short description|Common name for certain fishes of the family Serrasalmidae}}
{{Redirect|Pirana|other uses|Piranha (disambiguation)}}
{{Pp-semi-indef}}
{{Pp-move}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| auto = yes
| fossil_range = {{fossilrange|Miocene|Recent}}
| image = Pygocentrus nattereri - Karlsruhe Zoo 01.jpg
| image_caption = A [[red-bellied piranha]] at the [[Karlsruhe Zoo]]
| display_parents = 0
| parent = Serrasalminae
| includes_text = Included genera
| includes = ''[[Catoprion]]''<br />
''[[Pristobrycon]]''<br />
''[[Pygocentrus]]''<br />
''[[Pygopristis]]''<br />
''[[Serrasalmus]]''<br />
†''[[Megapiranha]]''
| excludes = ''[[Metynnis]]''
}}

A '''piranha''' ({{IPAc-en|p|ᵻ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n|j|ə|,|_|-|r|æ|n}}, or {{IPAc-en|p|ᵻ|ˈ|r|ɑː|n|ə}}; {{IPA|pt|piˈɾɐ̃ɲɐ|lang}}) is any of a number of freshwater [[fish]] species in the subfamily [[Serrasalminae]], of the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Serrasalmidae]],<ref name="Freeman2">{{
cite journal|url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/zt01484p038.pdf|title=Molecular systematics of Serrasalmidae: Deciphering the identities of piranha species and unraveling their evolutionary histories |first=Barbie|last=Freeman |author2=Nico, Leo G. |author3=Osentoski, Matthew |author4=Jelks, Howard L. |author5=Collins, Timothy M. |journal=[[Zootaxa]]|volume=1484|page=2|year=2007|access-date=2009-06-25|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.1484.1.1 |doi-access=free}}</ref> in the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Characiformes]]. These fish inhabit South American rivers, [[floodplain]]s, lakes and reservoirs. Although often described as extremely predatory and mainly feeding on fish, their dietary habits vary extensively, and they will also take plant material,<ref name=Goulding1980/> leading to their classification as [[omnivorous]].<ref name=BBC2007>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6259946.stm |title=Piranha 'less deadly than feared' |access-date=2 July 2007 |author=BBC News Online |date=2 July 2007|author-link=BBC News Online }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name originates from [[Tupi language|Old Tupi]] ''[[wikt:pirãîa|pirãîa]]'',<ref>{{Cite book|language=pt|title=Dicionário de tupi antigo: a língua indígena clássica do Brasil|last=Navarro|first=Eduardo de Almeida|publisher=Global|year=2013|location=São Paulo|page=385|isbn=9788526019331|author-link=Eduardo de Almeida Navarro|title-link=Dictionary of Old Tupi}}</ref> being first attested in the 1587 treatise ''{{Interlanguage link|Notícia do Brasil|pt}}'' by Portuguese explorer [[Gabriel Soares de Sousa]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Notícia do Brasil |last=Sousa |first=Gabriel Soares de |year=1587 |publication-date=1851 |page=301 |language=pt |trans-title=Brazil's Notice |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wWYCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA301 |chapter=Que trata da natureza e feições do peixe de agua doce}}</ref> ''Piranha'' first appears in 1869 in English literature, likely borrowed from Portuguese.<ref>{{OEtymD|piranha}}</ref>

==Taxonomy and evolution==
[[Image:Jaw of the piranha.jpg|thumb|left|Piranha in [[Venezuela]] with its jaws held open to show its distinctive sharp teeth]]

Piranhas belong to the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Serrasalmidae]], which includes closely related omnivorous<ref>[http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile86.html Black-finned Pacu Fish, Colossoma macropomum Profile with care, maintenance requirements and breeding information for your tropical fish]. Badmanstropicalfish.com. Retrieved on 13 May 2012.</ref> fish such as [[pacu]]s.<ref name="Freeman">{{cite journal|url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/zt01484p038.pdf|title=Molecular systematics of Serrasalmidae: Deciphering the identities of piranha species and unraveling their evolutionary histories|doi=10.1046/j.1439-0469.2000.384132.x|author1=Freeman, Barbie|author2=Nico, Leo G.|author3=Osentoski, Matthew|author4=Jelks, Howard L.|author5=Collins, Timothy M.|journal=[[Zootaxa]]|volume=1484|pages=1–38|year=2007|access-date=22 June 2009|issue=4}}</ref> Traditionally, only the four [[genus|genera]] ''[[Pristobrycon]]'', ''[[Pygocentrus]]'', ''[[Pygopristis]]'', and ''[[Serrasalmus]]'' are considered to be true piranhas, due to their specialized teeth. However, a recent analysis showed, if the piranha group is to be [[monophyly|monophyletic]], it should be restricted to ''Serrasalmus'', ''Pygocentrus'', and part of ''Pristobrycon'', or expanded to include these taxa plus ''Pygopristis'', ''[[Catoprion]]'', and ''[[Pristobrycon striolatus]]''. ''Pygopristis'' was found to be more closely related to ''Catoprion'' than the other three piranha genera.<ref name="Freeman"/>

Under more recent taxonomic treatments, essentially all members of the subfamily [[Serrasalmidae|Serrasalminae]] within the family Serrasalmidae have "piranha" in their name, excluding the most [[Basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] members of the subfamily, ''[[Metynnis]]'', which are referred to as "[[Silver dollar (fish)|silver dollars]]".<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Fricke |first=R. |last2=Eschmeyer |first2=W. N. |last3=Van der Laan |first3=R. |date=2025 |title=ESCHMEYER'S CATALOG OF FISHES: CLASSIFICATION |url=https://www.calacademy.org/eschmeyers-catalog-of-fishes-classification |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=California Academy of Sciences |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Kolmann |first=M A |last2=Hughes |first2=L C |last3=Hernandez |first3=L P |last4=Arcila |first4=D |last5=Betancur-R |first5=R |last6=Sabaj |first6=M H |last7=López-Fernández |first7=H |last8=Ortí |first8=G |date=2021-05-01 |title=Phylogenomics of Piranhas and Pacus (Serrasalmidae) Uncovers How Dietary Convergence and Parallelism Obfuscate Traditional Morphological Taxonomy |url=https://academic.oup.com/sysbio/article/70/3/576/5891674 |journal=Systematic Biology |volume=70 |issue=3 |pages=576–592 |doi=10.1093/sysbio/syaa065 |issn=1063-5157}}</ref>

The total number of piranha species is unknown and contested, and new species continue to be described. Estimates range from fewer than 30 to more than 60.<ref name="Freeman"/>

==Distribution==
Piranhas are indigenous to the [[Amazon basin]], in the [[Orinoco]], in rivers of the [[Guianas]], in the [[Paraguay River|Paraguay]]–[[Paraná River|Paraná]], and the [[São Francisco River]] systems, but there are major differences in the [[species richness]]. In a review where 38–39 piranha species were recognized, 25 were from the Amazon and 16 from Orinoco, while only three were present in Paraguay–Paraná and two in São Francisco.<ref name="Freeman"/> Most species are restricted to a single river system, but some (such as the red-bellied piranha) occur in several. Many species can occur together; for example, seven are found in Caño Maporal, a stream in Venezuela.<ref name="Freeman"/>

[[Aquarium]] piranhas have been unsuccessfully [[Introduced species|introduced]] into parts of the [[United States]].<ref>Fahrenthold, David A. (29 May 2005) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/28/AR2005052801079_pf.html "In River of Many Aliens, Snakehead Looms as Threat"], ''[[The Washington Post]]''.</ref> In many cases, however, reported captures of piranhas are misidentifications of pacu (e.g., red-bellied pacu or ''[[Piaractus brachypomus]]'' is frequently misidentified as red-bellied piranha or ''[[Pygocentrus nattereri]]'').<ref>Nico, L., Fuller, P. and Neilson, M. [https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=427 ''Piaractus brachypomus'']. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. Revision Date: 23 August 2013.</ref> Piranhas have also been discovered in the [[Kaptai Lake]] in southeast [[Bangladesh]]. Research is being carried out to establish how piranhas have moved to such distant corners of the world from their original habitat. Some rogue exotic fish traders are thought to have released them in the lake to avoid being caught by antipoaching forces. Piranhas were also spotted in the [[Lijiang River]] in [[China]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hanna |first=Jason |date=13 July 2012 |title=City cancels piranha bounty as other fish slaughtered |url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/13/city-cancels-piranha-bounty-as-other-fish-slaughtered/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715220320/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/13/city-cancels-piranha-bounty-as-other-fish-slaughtered/ |archive-date=15 July 2012 |department=This Just In (blog) |publisher=[[CNN]] Blogs |access-date=8 March 2021 }}</ref>

==Description==
[[Image:Piranha.jaw.jpg|thumb|Jawbone of ''[[Pygocentrus nattereri]]'']]

===Size===
Depending on the exact species, most piranhas grow to between {{convert|12|and(-)|35|cm|in|abbr=on|0}} long. A few can grow larger, with the largest living species, the [[Red-bellied piranha|red-bellied]], reaching up to {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{FishBase genus | genus = Pygocentrus| month = March | year = 2018}}</ref><ref>{{FishBase genus | genus = Serrasalmus| month = March | year = 2018}}</ref> There are claims of [[São Francisco piranha]]s at up to {{convert|60|cm|in|abbr=on}}, but the largest confirmed specimens are considerably smaller.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.piranha-info.com/default.php%3Flang%3Den%26id%3Dp_piraya | title=Pygocentrus piraya | publisher=piranha-info.com | access-date=25 March 2018 | archive-date=26 March 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326141735/http://www.piranha-info.com/default.php?lang=en&id=p_piraya | url-status=dead }}</ref> The extinct ''[[Megapiranha]]'' which lived 8–10 million years ago reached about {{convert|71|cm|in|abbr=on}} long,<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Grubich |first1= J.R. |last2= Huskey |first2= S. |last3= Crofts |first3= S. |last4= Orti |first4= G. |last5= Porto |first5= J. |title= Mega-Bites: Extreme jaw forces of living and extinct piranhas (Serrasalmidae) |year= 2012 |journal= Scientific Reports |volume= 2 |page= 1009 |doi= 10.1038/srep01009 |pmid= 23259047 |pmc= 3526859 |bibcode= 2012NatSR...2.1009G }}</ref> and possibly even {{convert|128|cm|in|abbr=on|-1}}.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cione|first1=Alberto Luis|last2=Dahdul|first2=Wasila M.|last3=Lundberg|first3=John G.|last4=Machado-Allison|first4=Antonio|date=2009-06-12|title=Megapiranha paranensis, a new genus and species of Serrasalmidae (Characiformes, Teleostei) from the upper Miocene of Argentina|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=29|issue=2|pages=350–358|doi=10.1671/039.029.0221|bibcode=2009JVPal..29..350C |s2cid=86046546|issn=0272-4634}}</ref>

===Morphology===
''Serrasalmus'', ''Pristobrycon'', ''Pygocentrus'', and ''Pygopristis'' are most easily recognized by their unique [[dentition]]. All piranhas have a single row of sharp teeth in both jaws. The teeth are tightly packed and interlocking (via small [[cusp (dentistry)|cusps]]) and are used for rapid puncture and shearing. Individual teeth are typically broadly triangular, pointed, and blade-like (flat in profile). The variation in the number of cusps is minor. In most species, the teeth are tricuspid with a larger middle cusp which makes the individual teeth appear markedly triangular. The exception is ''Pygopristis'', which has pentacuspid teeth and a middle cusp usually only slightly larger than the other cusps.

===Biting abilities===
Piranhas have one of the strongest bites found in bony fishes. Relative to body mass, the black piranha (''[[Redeye piranha|Serrasalmus rhombeus]]'') produces one of the most forceful bites measured in vertebrates. This extremely powerful and dangerous bite is generated by large jaw muscles (adductor mandibulae) that are attached closely to the tip of the jaw, conferring the piranha with a mechanical advantage that favors force production over bite speed. Strong jaws combined with finely serrated teeth make them adept at tearing flesh.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Mega-Bites: Extreme jaw forces of living and extinct piranhas (Serrasalmidae)|journal = Scientific Reports|date = 2012-12-20|pmc = 3526859|pmid = 23259047|volume = 2|page = 1009|doi = 10.1038/srep01009|first1 = Justin R.|last1 = Grubich|first2 = Steve|last2 = Huskey|first3 = Stephanie|last3 = Crofts|first4 = Guillermo|last4 = Orti|first5 = Jorge|last5 = Porto|bibcode = 2012NatSR...2E1009G}}</ref>

==Ecology==
[[File:Close-up of a piranha at Georgia Aquarium.jpg|alt=Close-up of a piranha at Georgia Aquarium|left|thumb|Close-up of a piranha at Georgia Aquarium]]
Piranhas vary extensively in ecology and behavior depending on exact species.<ref name=Goulding1980/> Piranhas, especially the red-bellied (''Pygocentrus nattereri''), have a reputation as ferocious predators that hunt their prey in schools. Recent research, however, which "started off with the premise that they school as a means of cooperative hunting", discovered they are timid fish that schooled for protection from their own predators, such as [[cormorant]]s, [[caiman]]s, and [[dolphin]]s. Piranhas are "basically like regular fish with large teeth".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/24/science/24obse.html?_r=1 Red-Bellied Piranha Is Really Yellow] ''New York Times'' (24 May 2003).</ref> A few other species may also occur in large groups, while the remaining are solitary or found in small groups.<ref name=Goulding1980/>

Although popularly described as highly predatory and primarily [[Piscivore|feeding on fish]], piranha diets vary extensively,<ref name=Goulding1980/> leading to their classification as [[omnivorous]].<ref name=BBC2007/> In addition to fish (occasionally even [[Cannibalism (zoology)|their own species]]<ref name=Nico1988>{{cite journal| author1=Nico, L.G. |author2=D.C. Taphorn | year=1988 | title=Food Habits of Piranhas in the Low Llanos of Venezuela | journal=Biotropica | volume=20 | issue=4 | pages=311–321 | doi=10.2307/2388321| jstor=2388321 |bibcode=1988Biotr..20..311N }}</ref>), documented food items for piranhas include other vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles), invertebrates (insects, crustaceans), fruits, seeds, leaves and [[detritus]].<ref name=Goulding1980/> The diet often shifts with age and size.<ref name=Nico1988/> Research on the species ''Serrasalmus'' aff. ''brandtii'' and ''Pygocentrus nattereri'' in Viana Lake in [[Maranhão]], which is formed during the wet season when the [[Pindaré River]] (a tributary of the [[Mearim River]]) floods, has shown that they primarily feed on fish, but also eat vegetable matter.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1590/S0044-59672005000100010 |language=pt|title=Alimentação e ecomorfologia de duas espécies de piranhas (Characiformes: Characidae) do lago de Viana, estado do Maranhão, Brasil|year=2005|last1=Piorski|first1=Nivaldo Magalhães|last2=Alves|first2=José de Ribamar Lima|last3=Machado|first3=Monica Rejany Barros|last4=Correia|first4=Maria Marlucia Ferreira|journal=Acta Amazonica|volume=35|page=63|doi-access=free}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20080222064556/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=695 Lay summary]</ref> In another study of more than 250 ''Serrasalmus rhombeus'' at [[Ji-Paraná River|Ji-Paraná (Machado) River]], 75% to 81% (depending on season) of the stomach content was fish, but about 10% was fruits or seeds.<ref name=Goulding1980/> In a few species such as ''[[Serrasalmus serrulatus]]'', the dietary split may be more equal, but this is less certain as based on smaller samples: Among 24 ''S. serrulatus'' from flooded forests of Ji-Paraná (Machado) River, there were several with fish remains in their stomachs, but half contained [[Chewing|masticated]] seeds and in most of these this was the dominant item.<ref name=Goulding1980/> Piranhas will often [[scavenge]],<ref name="Freeman"/> and some species such as ''[[Serrasalmus elongatus]]'' are specialized [[scale-eater]]s, feeding primarily on scales and fins of other fish.<ref name=Goulding1980/> Scale- and fin-eating is more widespread among juvenile and sub-adult piranhas.<ref name=Nico1988/>

Piranhas lay their eggs in pits dug during the breeding season and swim around to protect them. Newly hatched young feed on [[zooplankton]], and eventually move on to small fish once large enough.<ref name="Petrovický">{{cite book|last=Petrovický|first=Ivan|title=Aquarium Fish of the World A Comprehensive Illustrative Guide to Over 500 Aquarium Fish|year=1989|publisher=Arch Cape Press|location=New York City|isbn=978-0-517-67903-6|page=92}}</ref>

==Relationship with humans==
[[Image:Peru - PiranhaFishing.jpg|thumb|right|Fishing piranha on the [[Ucayali River]]]]
[[File:2010-0117-Peru-piranha.jpg|thumb|right|A piranha, lightly grilled, served as food in the Peruvian Amazon]]
[[Image:Souvenir piranha side.JPG|thumb|A souvenir piranha]]

Piranha teeth are often used as tools themselves (such as for carving wood or cutting hair) or to modify other tools (such as sharpening of [[Dart (missile)|darts]]). This practice has been documented among several South American tribes including the [[Camayura]] and [[Shavante]] in Brazil and the [[Pacahuara]] in Bolivia.<ref>{{cite book | author=Onofrio-Grimm, O. | year=1993 | title=Dictionary of Indian Tribes of the Americas |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=padutQEACAAJ}}| pages=209–210 | volume=1 | publisher=American Indian Publishers | edition=2 | isbn=978-0-937862-28-5 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Weatherford, J.M. | year=1985 | title=Tribes on the Hill |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=u1uTPIU6lA4C|page=28}} | page=28 | isbn=978-0-89789-071-7 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Méthraux, A. | chapter=Tribes of Eastern Bolivia and the Madeira Headwaters | editor=Steward, J.H. | year=1948 | title=Handbook of South American Indians |chapter-url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=6fDCFLba7Q8C}}| pages=389, 402, 452 | volume=3 }}</ref>

Piranhas are also popular as food, being both eaten as a subsistence catch by fishers and sold at market. However, they are often considered a nuisance by fishers because they steal bait, eat catches, damage fishing gear, and may bite when accidentally caught.<ref name="Freeman"/>

Piranhas can be bought as pets in some areas, but they are illegal in many parts of the United States, and in the [[Philippines]], where importers face six months to four years in jail, and the piranhas are destroyed to prevent proliferation.<ref>Geiger, Diana  [http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51634.asp Piranha as Pets – Exotic Pets]. bellaonline.com</ref><ref>[http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/12/03/11/5-arrested-selling-piranhas-philippines 5 arrested for selling piranhas in Philippines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125942/http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/12/03/11/5-arrested-selling-piranhas-philippines |date=4 March 2016 }}. Agence France-Presse. 12 March 2011</ref>

The most common aquarium piranha is ''Pygocentrus nattereri'', the [[red-bellied piranha]]. Piranhas can be bought fully grown or as young, often no larger than a thumbnail. It is important to keep ''Pygocentrus'' piranhas alone or in groups of four or more, not in pairs, since aggression among them is common, not allowing the weaker fish to survive, and is distributed more widely when kept in larger groups.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} It is not uncommon to find individual piranhas with one eye missing due to a previous attack.

===Attacks===
Although often described as extremely dangerous in the media, piranhas typically do not represent a serious risk to humans.<ref name=Goulding1980>{{cite book | author=Goulding, M  | year=1980 | title=The Fishes and the Forest: Explorations in Amazonian Natural History |url= {{google books |plainurl=y |id=krIsP5RbFx0C}}| publisher=University of California Press | pages=153–170 | isbn=978-0-520-04131-8 }}</ref><ref name=Sleen2017>{{cite book |editor1=van der Sleen, P. |editor2=J.S. Albert  | year=2017 | title=Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas |url= {{google books |plainurl=y |id=Gzc2DwAAQBAJ}}  | publisher=Princeton University Press | pages=172–193 | isbn=978-0-691-17074-9 }}</ref> However, attacks have occurred, especially when the piranhas are in a stressed situation such as the dense groups that may occur when the water is lower during the dry season and food is relatively scarce.<ref name=Goulding1980/><ref name=Mol2006>{{cite journal|doi=10.1080/01650520600630683|title=Attacks on humans by the piranha ''Serrasalmus rhombeus'' in Suriname|year=2006|last1=Mol|first1=Jan H.|journal=Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment|volume=41|issue=3|pages=189–195 |bibcode=2006SNFE...41..189M |s2cid=84429161}}</ref> Swimming near fishermen may increase the risk of attacks due to the commotion caused by struggling fish and the presence of [[Fishing bait|bait]] in the water.<ref name=Mintz2013/><ref name=glob15/> Splashing attracts piranhas and for this reason children are more often attacked than adults.<ref name=Mol2006/> Being in the water when already injured or otherwise incapacitated also increases the risk.<ref name=Goulding1980/> There are sometimes [[warning sign]]s at high-risk locations<ref>{{cite web |url=http://g1.globo.com/mato-grosso/noticia/2011/11/banhistas-sao-atacados-por-piranhas-em-rio-no-pantanal-de-mato-grosso.html |title=Praia no Rio Paraguai tem quase um ataque de piranhas por dia em MT |author=Martins, Kelly |work=globo.com|date=16 November 2011}}</ref> and beaches in such areas are sometimes protected by a barrier.<ref name=HeraldJuly2007>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/net-to-take-bite-out-of-piranhas/news-story/e9dd93554feb745955d6baf9c7acf6b6?sv=1c088108b7d1f47e30d898e5f3994788 |title=Net to take bite out of Brazilian piranhas |work=Herald Sun|date=10 July 2007}}</ref>

Most piranha attacks on humans only result in minor injuries, typically to the [[feet]] or hands, but they are occasionally more serious and very rarely can be fatal.<ref name=Mol2006/> Near the city of [[Palmas, Tocantins|Palmas]] in Brazil, 190 piranha attacks, all involving single bites to the feet, were reported in the first half of 2007 in an artificial lake which appeared after the [[dam]]ming of the [[Tocantins River]].<ref name=HeraldJuly2007/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Brasil/0,,MUL70510-5598,00.html |title=Palmas registra 190 ataques de piranhas desde janeiro |work=globo.com|date= 16 July 2007}}</ref> In the state of [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]], a series of attacks in 2009 in the [[Tietê River]] resulted in minor injuries to 15 people.<ref name=glob15>{{cite web |url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/SaoPaulo/0,,MUL1329368-5605,00-ATAQUE+DE+PIRANHAS+DEIXA+FERIDOS+EM+PRAINHA+NO+RIO+TIETE.html |title=Ataque de piranhas deixa 15 feridos em 'prainha' no Rio Tietê |date=5 October 2009|work=globo.com}}</ref> In 2011, another series of attacks at [[José de Freitas]] in the Brazilian state of [[Piauí]] resulted in 100 people being treated for bites to their toes or heels.<ref name=yah100>{{cite web |url=http://br.noticias.yahoo.com/balneario-no-piaui-recebe-100-mil-peixes-para-conter-ataque-de-piranhas.html |title=Balneário no Piauí recebe 100 mil peixes para conter ataque de piranhas |date=12 September 2011|publisher=br.noticias.yahoo.com}}</ref> On 25 December 2013, more than 70 bathers were attacked at [[Rosario]] in Argentina, causing injuries to their hands or feet.<ref name=Mintz2013>Mintz, Zoe (26 December 2013) [http://www.ibtimes.com/piranha-attack-argentina-injures-more-70-fish-tore-bits-flesh-swimmers-christmas-1520828 Piranha Attack In Argentina Injures More Than 70, Fish Tore 'Bits Of Flesh' Off Swimmers On Christmas]. ibtimes.com</ref> In 2011, a drunk 18-year-old man was attacked and killed in Rosario del Yata, [[Bolivia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://noticias.terra.com.br/mundo/noticias/0,,OI5507003-EI8140,00-Homem+bebado+morre+apos+ser+atacado+por+piranhas+na+Bolivia.html |title=Homem bêbado morre após ser atacado por piranhas na Bolívia |date=7 December 2011|work=terra.com.br}}</ref> In 2012, a five-year-old Brazilian girl was attacked and killed by a shoal of ''P. nattereri''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvuol.uol.com.br/assistir.htm?video=menina-e-atacada-por-piranhas-e-morre-no-amazonas-0402CD183464C4A13326&tagIds=1793&orderBy=mais-recentes&edFilter=editorial&time=all& |date=25 October 2012 |title=Menina é atacada por piranhas e morre no Amazonas|work=tvuol.uol.com.br}}</ref> In January 2015, a six-year-old girl was found dead with signs of piranha bites on part of her body after her family canoe capsized during a vacation in Monte Alegre, Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/girl-6-dies-after-piranhas-eat-her-legs-when-canoe-capsizes-on-family-holiday-10022189.html|title=Girl, 6, dies after piranhas eat her legs when canoe capsizes on family holiday|date=4 February 2015|website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Whereas fatal attacks on humans are rare, piranhas will readily feed on bodies of people that already have died, such as drowning victims.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pirañas atacaron de nuevo, ahora en San Pedro: la víctima fue un hombre ahogado en el río Paraguay |url=https://www.lanacion.com.py/pais/2022/01/04/piranas-atacaron-de-nuevo-ahora-en-san-pedro-la-victima-fue-un-hombre-ahogado-en-el-rio-paraguay/ |publisher=La Nacion|access-date=4 January 2022 |date=19 June 2022}}</ref>

==Reputation==
Various stories exist about piranhas, such as how they can skeletonize a [[human body]] or [[cattle]] in seconds. These legends refer specifically to the [[red-bellied piranha]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ecoterrabrasil.com.br/home/index.php?pg=ecoentrevistas&tipo=temas&cd=944 |title=Piranhas vermelhas são medrosas e comem vegetais |publisher=EcoTerra Brasil |year=2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116172238/http://www.ecoterrabrasil.com.br/home/index.php?pg=ecoentrevistas&tipo=temas&cd=944 |archive-date=16 January 2011}}</ref>

[[Piranha solution]], a dangerous mixture of  [[sulfuric acid]] and [[hydrogen peroxide]] known to aggressively dissolve organic material, draws its name from these legends surrounding the piranha fish.

A common falsehood is that they can be attracted by [[blood]] and are exclusively [[carnivore]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cienciahoje.uol.com.br/controlPanel/materia/view/3349|title=Experimentos provam que peixes se agrupam para defesa, não para ataque|publisher=Ciência Hoje|date=9 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906163352/http://cienciahoje.uol.com.br/controlPanel/materia/view/3349|archive-date=6 September 2008}}</ref> A Brazilian legend called "piranha cattle" states that they sweep the rivers at high speed and attack the first of the cattle entering the water, allowing the rest of the group to traverse the river.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adital.com.br/site/noticia2.asp?lang=PT&cod=28416|title=Boi de Piranha|author=Gonçalves, Alfredo J.|date=10 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108044854/http://www.adital.com.br/site/noticia2.asp?lang=PT&cod=28416|archive-date=8 January 2014}}</ref> These legends were dismissed through research by [[Hélder Queiroz]] and Anne Magurran and published in ''[[Biology Letters]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1098/rsbl.2004.0267  |title=Safety in numbers? Shoaling behaviour of the Amazonian red-bellied piranha |year=2005 |author1 =Queiroz, Helder |author2 =Magurran, Anne E |journal=Biology Letters |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=155–7 |pmid=17148153 |pmc=1626212 }}</ref>

===Accounts from Theodore Roosevelt===
When former US president [[Theodore Roosevelt]] visited [[Brazil]] in 1913, he went on a hunting expedition through the [[Amazon Rainforest]]. While standing on the bank of the Amazon River, he witnessed a spectacle created by local fishermen. After blocking off part of the river and starving the piranhas for several days, they pushed a cow into the water, where it was quickly torn apart and skeletonized by a school of hungry piranhas.<ref name="hsw-cow">{{cite web|url=http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/piranha-eat-cows.htm|title=Can piranhas really strip a cow to the bone in under a minute?|first=Julia |last=Layton|publisher=[[HowStuffWorks]]|access-date=22 May 2009|date=30 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="NatGeo-Howard">{{cite web|url=http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/photos/scariest-freshwater-animals/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101140108/http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/photos/scariest-freshwater-animals/|archive-date=1 November 2011|last=Howard, Brian Clark |title=13 Scariest Freshwater Fish: Piranha|first=Brian Clark Howard|publisher=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]|access-date=4 October 2012|date=31 October 2011 }}</ref> Roosevelt later described piranhas as vicious creatures in his 1914 book ''[[s:Through the Brazilian Wilderness|Through the Brazilian Wilderness]]''.<ref name="Robinson-LA Times">{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-os-piranha22nov22|title=Rumble in the jungle with Amazon's killer piranha|first=Joe|last=Robinson|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=1 August 2009|date=22 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831110223/http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-os-piranha22nov22|archive-date=31 August 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Animal attack]]
* [[Animal bite]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* Eric J. Lyman: [http://www.ericjlyman.com/piranha.html "Piranha meat could take a bite out of what ails you"], ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', 17 July 1998
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003559/http://www.ehometips.com/piranha101guide.htm How to maintain healthy piranha in the home aquarium]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150321024544/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/150319-piranha-feeding-frenzy-viral-video-brazil-animals/ "Piranha Feeding Frenzy"], National Geographic.com (2015-03-19)

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[[Category:Piranhas| ]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Pantanal]]
[[Category:Fish common names]]
[[Category:Fish of South America]]
[[Category:Fish of the Amazon basin]]
[[Category:Serrasalmidae]]