The tropical forest

It must be kept in a good sized aquarium with efficient filtration, as it is used to chewing it food and scattering it. It is sometimes aggressive toward other species. It breeds easily in captivity. There are several varieties.

It is most active at night. The dominant male is easily recognized by the bump on its front. In captivity, it does not hesitate to devour specimens from smaller species. Growing up, it moves it habitat to the bottom of the aquarium.

Its mouth, equipped with full lips, allows it to cling to various surfaces. It uses it rough tongue to scrape the algae growing on the rocks ... and on the glass of an aquarium. Warning, it measures a few centimeters when you bought it, but it can grow quickly.

It is rather "shy". It lives in shaded areas or in natural hiding places where it black and yellow lines allow it to hide. It easily acclimate to an aquarium.

During breeding, the male digs a hole in the sand. A female will deposit it eggs that it will shelter in its mouth. After hatching, the young remain close to the adults. In case of danger, they take refuge in the mouths of their parents. It is bred in pisciculture.

It can breathe oxygen from the air, it stays at least half an hour under the surface between two breathes. Its tapered pectoral fins have a tactile and sensory role. Because of its large size, it is not recommended for the aquarium of a specimen.

It is one of the most known species to aquarists. It breeds easily in captivity, but it is too often taken from the wild. For several years, it has started to being raised in it home region. It became a source of income for local people.

Its attractive coloring is mainly due to the refraction of light on the scales. They breed easily in aquariums.

The stripes of it body allow it to hide. Parents lay their eggs in the vegetation, and provide for their offspring long parental care (custody, ventilation ...). Very popular among aquarists: there are many color varieties obtained through breeding.

It is carnivorous, its sharp teeth have earned it the local name. (Pira = fish, Nha = tooth). Its dangerousness was often exaggerated: it serves as prey of many animals (alligators, giant otter ...). Piranhas are especially dangerous for humans in the dry season, when they lack food.

Its tapered pectoral fins have a tactile and sensorial role. The pair builds a floating nest using agglomerated bubbles in which are laid over 1000 eggs. It easily accommodates to life in the aquarium.