Serrasalmus manueli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Serrasalmus manueli |
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The Serrasalmus manueli, also known as the Silver piranha or Manuel's piranha, is a very large type of piranha. It belongs to the Serrasalmus group of fish. While its exact size and weight are still being studied, it is thought to be as big as the famous black piranha.
Unlike the well-known red-bellied piranha, which lives in groups, the Silver piranha prefers to live alone. Like all piranhas, it has one of the strongest bites on the planet for its body size.
About the Silver Piranha
What is a Silver Piranha?
The Silver piranha is a fascinating fish known for its impressive size. It can grow quite large, with some reports from local people saying they can be over 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) long in the wild. However, scientists are still working to confirm these maximum sizes.
This piranha is also popular among people who keep fish as a hobby. But it's not as common as the red-bellied or black piranhas. Silver piranhas are very sensitive to their surroundings and the quality of their water. Many large ones caught in the wild for aquariums sadly don't survive the trip. Because of this, most Silver piranhas kept as pets are smaller ones. The biggest one ever kept in an aquarium was about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long.
Where Do They Live?
The Silver piranha lives in many different kinds of places. You can find them in areas with thick rainforests. They also live in the tropical grasslands of the Venezuelan Llanos. This shows they can adapt to various watery environments.
See also
In Spanish: Piraña verde para niños
