Overview
- “Gold Piranha” is a trade name for Serrasalmus maculatus, also called the golden mac. [UNVERIFIED] The name is sometimes applied to other Serrasalmus species.
- Widespread in the Amazon, Paraguay and Paraná basins of South America.
- Grows to about 8 in (21 cm) standard length.
- [UNVERIFIED] Piranhas are illegal to own in many US states. Check your local laws first.
Feeding
- An opportunist that bites fins and flesh of other fish and also eats smaller fish, insects and crustaceans.
- [UNVERIFIED] In aquariums offer fish fillet, shrimp and mussels.
Habitat
- A tank with a base of 48 × 18 in (120 × 45 cm).
- Well-oxygenated, with sand and driftwood for cover. Plants may be nipped.
- Water: 70–86°F (21–30°C), GH 5–15. Seriously Fish gives no pH range.
Fish Care
- Water quality must be excellent, with large weekly water changes.
- Take care during maintenance. Its teeth are very sharp.
Compatibility
- A single-specimen fish. It doesn’t make a good tankmate for anything.
- Whether it can be kept in groups is hotly debated. Groups often end in injuries.
Aquarium Behavior
- Prefers shady, densely vegetated areas.
- Can be skittish and aggressive.
Breeding
- Spawns year-round in the wild.
- One of the easier Serrasalmus to breed, but needs several large tanks and is not for the average hobbyist.