Pirana Question

[black molly3]

i seen some piranas in my lfs today and they seemed small for pirranas.
NOW my auncle has a i think 49 GAL tank up and running with no fish in.
it has been cycled for 1 month and he wants either a pirana or an oscar.
what do you think.
also could i have id for the pirana.
they were grey with 2 black spotts about 1 and a half inches and was priced £3.50.

 

[black molly3]

no sorry ive just rang him up its a 51 GAL plz reply

 

[demonmagus]

tbh I wouldn't bother with the oscar

can't help you on ID but there are species of piranha small enough for 50 gallons I believe

 

[WILDER]

The oscar out of the question the tanks to small.
I would say a 50gal tank should be fine for one piranha.

 

[AMS]

No piranhas for that tank! See my Piranha Central.

 

[WILDER]

Here one and there a spotted one on the site but that needs a 90gal tank.
http/species.fishindex.com/species_3369p...ed_piranha.html

 

[jayjay]

Why wouldn't you be able to keep a sanchezi for example?

 

[AMS]

You can keep a Sanchezi but 99.9% of all piranhas at LFS's are Red Bellies that are a schooling fish that need a much larger tank.

 

[demonmagus]

just thought this would would be a good moment to mention they have a sanchezi in at wharf aquatics

 

[AMS]

just thought this would would be a good moment to mention they have a sanchezi in at wharf aquatics

If a piranha is labeled specially as Sanchezi than it probably is a Sancezi (or a similar species) but all other piranhas labeled as "red piranha, white piranha" etc. are of the Pygocentrus genus and all grow large enough to need a much larger tank.

 

[Gatorbait]

Not to mention you shouldn't ever get just 1 or 2 if they are the more common P. nattereri (Red Belly piranha). 3 or more only which means a 75g for life.

They are very small in the lfs but will be approximately 5-6" in 6 months.

If he wanted to spend a little money and buy online, that tank would be more than plenty for a sanchezi for life and he could have just 1 of those.