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Spineless piranha (Pristobrycon careospinus) — Serrasalmidae

Spineless piranha

Pristobrycon careospinus
Family: Serrasalmidae

The Spineless piranha (Pristobrycon careospinus) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
May bite

Description

The Spineless piranha is a piranha (Serrasalmidae) from rivers, lakes and floodplains of the Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with a powerful lower jaw full of sharp, triangular teeth. As an omnivore and group hunter it snaps at small fish, invertebrates, fruit and carrion. With its sharp teeth it can give a painful bite if handled carelessly.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spineless piranha?

The Spineless piranha has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spineless piranha live?

The Spineless piranha lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Spineless piranha get?

The Spineless piranha grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Spineless piranha dangerous to humans?

The Spineless piranha can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stekelloze piranha sourced
English name
Spineless piranha sourced
Scientific name
Pristobrycon careospinus
Family
Serrasalmidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.1 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
May bite 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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