How to Care for a Piranha

My Red Bellied Piranha

Step by Step on how to care for your aquatic friend the Red Bellied Piranha, including what to feed, tank maintenance, living space and much more.

Things You'll Need

• 55 gallon Tank or larger
• Piranha one, or more
• Tank Decorations
• Large Filter
• Heater
• Some Feeder Fish
• Dry Food

Instructions

1. make sure your tank is already setup and running before you even purchase your first piranha

2. You should already have a heater setup, a 50 gallon tank would need a 200 watt heater and or two 100 watt heaters on each end of the tank. The tank must be 75 to 80 Degree F.

   I would say about 4 watts per gallon for the heater size

3. when your new friend is settled in his tank, you must remember that they can be scared very easily.
   You don't want to startle a piranha cause you could make it sick and it might Die

   This is assuming you know the procedure to introduce a fish to a new tank

4. As far as Hygiene, you must keep the tank clean so not to pollute the water.
   Do not add more food then is necessary
   Have a rather large filter to keep water clean
   The PH of your piranha tank should be between 5.5 and 7.5 with 6.6 to 6.7 slightly acidic optimum

5. Its up to you as far as what you feed, Gold Fish, Dry food, etc

   Just know that Gold fish tend to carry disease so it might not be the best thing for them, even tho its fun to watch them eat,

Tips & Warnings

• Don't place anything in the tank that they might eat or take a bite out of, Only hard plastics and or live plants

• Sand it not a bad thing but its hard to clean, small rocks seem to be easier to clean out.

• Don't place tank in a room with heavy people traffic because it will scare the fish

• They don't like very bright lights, florescent are ok

• Remember they like space, the more space the happier the fish, if you have more than one this is very very important!!!!

• Tank must have a lid, or the fish will jump out.

• These fish can be very dangerous, so when cleaning don't let your guard down or you might get bit.

• WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!