ukjay said:
what sort of tank/condictions do i need to have for ed bellies sounds like a good new tank all info please as never had before(i know nothin )
You could have a 55g and keep 3 rbp's in it for life. 75g-4 rbp's for life.
Red-belly piranhas are the easiest fish to care for, imo, and probably the best starter fish you can get.
When smaller, feed 3 times a day with veggie flakes,cichlid flakes, krill, brine shrimp, bloodworms, peas, live fish etc and when they get to about 4" feed once a day for a month or so and then move to 3-4 times a week with larger meals.
Temp- 80F good filtration with a LOT of current as this makes them stronger and more active also.
Water params- VERY easy. just use the same water params as where you got them from. I've only ever used tap water, no adjustments necessary.
They like floating plants and caves aren't important at all. They don't usually use caves and like being out in the open or underneath plants and logs.
Dither fish are good to have when you first get them. I keep danios as dithers and as a more active fish, I have a M. chipokae in there also and as long as I keep them fed, they won't kill him.
Never hand feed your p's or let them associate your hand with food. If they do and you go to clean, they'll bite you. They are extremely quick and can be on one side of the tank and can take off and they're soooo quick you won't even see them move to the other side. Large rbp's can sever fingers in one bite from what I've heard.