Piranha people please help me...

[VirgoWolf]

OK my sis-in-law's BF has a Black Piranha and they know NOTHING about fish (they thought there dyed glass fish were neons... oi! LOL), I have been searching the net for a week or so now and all the info I find on them is highly contradictive, if someone could point me in the direction of a decent reliable caresheet for them or at least answer some questions for me? Here is the basics of what I want to know...

Adult size
Preferred min. tank size/shape for an adult, his is only about 6" now, but to let kim know what he's getting into. Also I have heard they need a long tank and I have heard they need a cubed tank, which is better?
Do they require the major current I have read about?
What water parimeters (PH & Temp)

And anything I am leaving out that he should know. Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

 

[scubadude]

Haven't seen much extensive info on black P's. I assume that the water parameters would be the same as the red belly as they live in the same river systems in the wild. I try to keep the PH in my at least 7.0 , if it gets below 6.5 the acid content becomes so great that their teeth will break down. On temp I keep my tank pretty cool to keep them from spawning 75 degrees, but they are most comfortable at around 78-82.
He is going to need a big tank. 100 gal at least. At full grown that thing is going to be a monster. They get big enough to take a mans hand off in two bites. No one has ever successfully kept one with another fish, even of it's own species. Even in the wild they are a solitary fish. Supposed to get between 1 and 1 1/2 feet long! All the info I have on black P's is from a national geographic special I saw a long time ago. Awesome fish....Watch your fingers...

 

[Dennis-Pir]

Take a look for Piranha Fury

its a site dedicated to P's... But I would agree with the above, at least a minimum of 100g and they are SOLITARY you put anything in that tank with a black P and well consider it lunch....

The current you are asking about, I would suggest one, it just increases their metabolism and increases the chances of them growing bigger and faster

 

[VirgoWolf]

Well My guess is that despite anything I tell him, this poor fish will live out his entire life in a 40gal tall with his Whisper 30 and nothing else other than some feeder goldies... I doubt he is willing to put a 100gal tank anywhere, nor would he spend that much money on a fish, but I will do my best.

I did check out PF, but I didn't join because I don't have any P's and don't plan on having any for at least a few years if ever. Just trying to get him to take care of this poor fish properly... maybe I can convince him to sell it to someone who can care for it? What can you do, he's a complete and utter idiot.

 

[scubadude]

Try your best to explain to him that a 40g will stunt it's growth. It's body will stop growing in a tank too small but it's internal organs will continue to grow eventually killing the fish.

 

[VirgoWolf]

I will try, but I doubt he will care. It would help if I could print out a proper care sheet and bring it to him, but they are all so different and I don't know which one is closest to being correct. Anyone find a good one?

 

[VirgoWolf]

I go down all prepaired to enlighten the boy and he gave the thing away! LOL Oh well. What can ya do?! LOL

 

[scubadude]

The way you were talking it's probably better that way.

 

[VirgoWolf]

Oh it's definitly better that the poor thing isn't with him, but he gave him to his brother, whom I have never met, so who know, could be better, could be worse. I tried.