I'm thinking about getting a Piranha but want a smaller, more solitary species. The tank I have now is a 29 gal. but I won't keep an adult piranha in there. Are there any small piranha species? I've heard some only get up to about four inches as adults but 6 inches would be fine. And what's the minimum size tank for a fish like that? Thanks.
Small Piranha Species
- Thread starter Pierce the Veil
- Start date
Well.. if you are only housing it in this tank til it grows you can get almost any baby Serrasalmus as they're growth rates are way slow. should probably stay away from any kind of Pygos as they have faster growth rates and will most certainly exceed 6" very quickly and shouldnt be kept solo.
With that being said if you go with a baby Serrasalmus species you can keep it in a tank that size for quite a while but will probably end up needing a upgrade.
Can't make any promises that a specific species will stay small because they each have the potential to be a freak of nature but from my experience;
Spilo/mac stay right around 6.5inches in home aquariums
Sanchezis stay about the same.
serrulatus (muda piranha) have the potential to be upward of 8" but i generally see them in homes at 5-6"
maybe you can track down a few Wimple piranhas...they max out at about 3"....really cool. they have the signature piranha shape but stay mini...although i wouldn't keep a solo wimple.
just some ideas to get the ball rolling.
Read some threads on here from people who have recorded growth rates in their piranhas n see what species you feel most comfortable with.
With that being said if you go with a baby Serrasalmus species you can keep it in a tank that size for quite a while but will probably end up needing a upgrade.
Can't make any promises that a specific species will stay small because they each have the potential to be a freak of nature but from my experience;
Spilo/mac stay right around 6.5inches in home aquariums
Sanchezis stay about the same.
serrulatus (muda piranha) have the potential to be upward of 8" but i generally see them in homes at 5-6"
maybe you can track down a few Wimple piranhas...they max out at about 3"....really cool. they have the signature piranha shape but stay mini...although i wouldn't keep a solo wimple.
just some ideas to get the ball rolling.
Read some threads on here from people who have recorded growth rates in their piranhas n see what species you feel most comfortable with.