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Striolated piranha (Pristobrycon striolatus) — Serrasalmidae

Striolated piranha

Pristobrycon striolatus
Family: Serrasalmidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Striolated piranha (Pristobrycon striolatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The striolated piranha is a piranha relative from the Amazon and Orinoco basins and Guiana rivers in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body. Unlike many notorious piranhas it is largely a plant-eater: its food consists mainly of seeds and to a lesser extent fin pieces. It is therefore regarded as harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striolated piranha?

The Striolated piranha has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Largely herbivorous (seeds); harmless piranha relative

Where does the Striolated piranha live?

The Striolated piranha lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America

How big does the Striolated piranha get?

The Striolated piranha grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Striolated piranha dangerous to humans?

No, the Striolated piranha is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Striolated piranha edible?

The Striolated piranha is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Striolated piranha verified
Scientific name
Pristobrycon striolatus
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.1 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly seeds, sometimes pieces of fins inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Seed-eating piranha-like fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Largely herbivorous (seeds); harmless piranha relative sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pristobrycon

More from the family Serrasalmidae

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