Keeping Dangerous Aquarium Fish - Important Points To Keep In Mind

Members of the family Characidae share manynot put your hands into the tank while feeding them.
characteristics with other freshwater fish. They are aCharacidae live in the brackish waters of South and
member of the Ostariophysi superorder, which includesCentral American rivers. Lots of peat and vegetable
around 68% of all freshwater species in the world.matter contribute to hazy waters and a PH leaning
This superorder is characterized by the Weberiantowards acidic. When properly kept, Characidae will
apparatus and some sort of alarm substance that isbreed in captivity, leaving eggs that stick to the bottom
released when the fish is stressed. Family Characidaeof the aquarium. They will eat their young however, so
were originally discovered in South and Centralif you are going to attempt to breed Characidae be
America, but have also been found in central Africa.prepared to move either the adults or the young into a
There are two main variations of Characidae:separate aquarium right after hatching.
carnivorous and omnivorous. The omnivorous kinds willSerrasalmus Rhombeus, also know as white piranha
eat both vegetable matter and meat, while theor spotted piranha, are another favorite of people who
carnivorous only eat meats. While there are alsolike to keep dangerous fish. Like Characidae, piranha
herbivorous Characidae, you should probably avoidare from South America, in the Amazon Basin. They
keeping them, because they will eat literally every plantcan grow up to 10 inches long in the wild, but most
in your aquarium.aquarium-raised piranha only grow to around 6 inches.
When choosing to keep carnivorous Characidae, thereAs with Characidae, piranha are not for the beginner.
are some things you will want to keep in mind. FirstAs one of the most aggressive fishes, they cannot be
and foremost, be aware that anything smaller than thekept with other fish. Their most prominent feature is
Characidae will be considered food. And mixing otherthe over-sized jaw, with rows of needle-sharp teeth.
aggressive carnivores will only lead to one or the otherPiranha have been known to tear apart aquariums
being eaten. You will want to keep herbivorous fishwith those teeth. When netting a piranha, you must use
that are much larger with Characidae. They willextreme caution to keep your hands away from the
generally leave anything bigger than themselves alone,fish at all times. They will attack and shred your hand
and the herbivore will not be interested in attackingwithout hesitation if you let them. In the wild, a school of
unless provoked. In contrast to the piranha, which haspiranha can reduce an entire cow to bones in a matter
similar jaws and eating habits, a Characidae will attackof seconds, so your hand is just a little snack for them.
both alone and in schools. Piranha tend to attack only inPiranha eat meat, of course. They will attack and eat
schools. But the effect either type can have on yourany other fish they are kept with. Some of the nicer
hand is similar, so be careful. These kind of fish arethings about keeping piranha include their relative
definitely not recommended for the beginner.indifference to water conditions, and that they will not
Carnivorous Characidae will eat pretty much any kindbreed in a tank. This prevents schools of piranha from
of meat. Worms, smaller fish (a lot of dangerous fishappearing in your tanks. They will eat each other in
keepers will stock the aquarium with several small,captivity, especially if there are no other fish to attack.
cheap fish so the predator has something to hunt), etc.Piranha are extremely aggressive and dangerous, and
Try to avoid giving them a taste for red meat, and doshould only be kept by experienced keepers.