The Black Spot Piranha (Pygocentrus cariba) is an omnivorous freshwater fish in the Serrasalmidae family of serrated fish. It is a serrasalmid.
The Black Spot Piranha is silvery-grey with black markings and yellowish gills. It has a small mouth with a single row of sharp, serrated, triangular, interlocking teeth. Its bite power is very strong. It has an oval-shaped body with a flattened face and large forehead.
It grows up to about 28 centimetres (11 inches) in length.
It is native to the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and Colombia in South America.
It is omnivorous (eating all things, such as both meat and plants). Its strong jaws and saw-like teeth are excellent for tearing the flesh off animals.
The female Black Spot Piranha lays her eggs in holes (pits) dug into the bottom of the river. She protects the eggs until they are hatched.
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM