Piranha

Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Kingdom |  Animalia
Phylum Information
Phylum |  Chordata
Class Information
Class |  Actinopterygii
Family Information
Superfamily |  Erythrinoidea
Family |  Serrasalmidae
Population statistics
Population | unknown

The piranha are a group of South American freshwater fish.

Most species are carnivorous, but not all, some using their serrated teeth to eat fruit. A school of the red piranha can skeletonise a cow in under two minutes.[1] Consequently, they are one of the most feared fishes of South America, along with the electric eel and the candiru.

Piranha's voracious appetites make them easy to fish for (though hooked fish will be devoured by other members of the school unless reeled in swiftly); their white flesh, though filled with many small bones, can be a valuable source of protein to inhabitants of the Amazon River region.

Piranha are a surprisingly popular aquarium fish, but they are illegal in some states, particularly those with warmer climates, such as Nevada, California and Texas.[2]

There are no documented human deaths from piranha attacks.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.extremescience.com/Piranha.htm
2. ↑ http://www.opefe.com/state_stat_prohibit.html
3. ↑ Encarta encyclopedia Piranha

## External links[edit]

* Answers in Genesis
* ExtremeScience.com
* Aquariumfish.net