{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "piranha",
  "name": "Red-bellied Piranha",
  "scientificName": "Pygocentrus nattereri",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is a freshwater fish of the Amazon basin, famous for its interlocking triangular teeth and reddish belly. Adults grow to about 20 to 35 cm long and weigh up to roughly 1.5 kg, swimming in large shoals through rivers, streams and flooded forests. Despite their fearsome reputation, they are mainly scavengers and opportunistic feeders. They are common and listed as Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Actinopterygii",
    "order": "Characiformes",
    "family": "Serrasalmidae",
    "genus": "Pygocentrus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1.5,
    "lengthM": 0.33,
    "topSpeedKmh": 25,
    "lifespanYears": 10
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Pygocentrus nattereri"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Omnivore (mostly carnivorous)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Amazon rivers, streams, and floodplains"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "About 10 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "20–35 cm (8–14 in)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Fast in short bursts"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Rivers, streams, and floodplains of the Amazon basin and other river systems of tropical South America.",
    "continents": [
      "South America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Pygocentrus nattereri.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Pygocentrus%20nattereri&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Pygocentrus nattereri. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pygocentrus_nattereri/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Red-bellied Piranha.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-bellied_piranha"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/piranha/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/piranha/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}