Identifying Serrasalmus species is one of the most challenging aspects of ichthyology. Knowing the species’ origin is therefore particularly important for Serrasalmus species if one wishes to identify them with any degree of certainty. Two piranha species of the genus Serrasalmus are currently known from Paraguay: S. maculatus and S. marginatus. They differ in body shape. While S. maculatus is a piranha with a fairly rounded back and blunt snout as an adult, S. marginatus belongs to a group of species with a front portion of the back that can almost be described as concave and a pike-like head. You can find pictures of S. marginatus here: https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fisharchive/serrasalmus-marginatus-2/
In the wild, Serrasalmus maculatus feeds primarily on the fins of other fish. Although it quickly adapts to a varied diet in the aquarium—such as frozen fish, shrimp, live earthworms, etc.—it never stops biting fins. This behavior also extends to members of its own species. For this reason, it is advisable to keep these fish only singly in the aquarium. Otherwise, you will hardly ever have a specimen with intact fins. A pair is only kept together for breeding. The sexes of adult S. maculatus (from about 15 cm total length) can be distinguished by the shape of the anal fin. This species spawns belly-up among the roots of floating plants near the water’s surface. These piranhas do not care for their fry.
Maximum size: approx. 20 cm; Temperature: 22–28°C; pH and hardness: not important for general care (tap water), but soft and acidic for breeding; Diet: coarse frozen and live food; Social behavior: aggressive solitary fish, best kept alone.
For our customers: these fish are listed under codes 292263 (6–8 cm) through 292266 (12–15 cm) on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesale customers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
