04-15-2009, 10:04 PM
[#008000]![[Image: happy.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/happy.gif)
Hi Brook - so what was your research source that stated Piranhas do not travel in vast schools? I think that a school of 100 is fairly large. Here is a bit from the Encyclopedia Britannica:[/#008000]
Found from northern Argentina to Colombia, piranhas are most diverse in the [url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/18722/Amazon-River"][#35597c]Amazon River[/#35597c][/url], where 20 different species are found. The most infamous is the [/url]red-bellied piranha ([url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/535866/red-bellied-piranha"][#35597c]Serrasalmus nattereri[/#35597c][/url]), with the strongest jaws and sharpest teeth of all. Especially during [url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/659589/low-tide"][#35597c]low water[/#35597c][/url], this species hunts in groups that can number more than [#bf0000]100[/#bf0000]. Several groups can converge in a feeding frenzy if a large animal is attacked, although this is rare. Red-bellied piranhas prefer prey that is only slightly larger than themselves or smaller. Generally a group of red-bellied piranhas spreads out to look for prey. When located, the attacking scout signals the others. This is probably done acoustically, as piranhas have excellent hearing. Everyone in the group rushes in to take a bite and then swims away to make way for the others. Most species of piranhas, however, never kill large animals, and piranha attacks on people are rare. (See also rainforest ecosystem sidebar, “[url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/461541/Vegetarian-Piranhas/461541suppinfo/Supplemental-Information#toc9118277"][#35597c]Vegetarian Piranhas[/#35597c][/url].”) Although piranhas are attracted to the smell of blood, most scavenge more than they kill. Some 12 species called [/url]wimple piranhas (genus Catoprion) survive solely on morsels nipped from the fins and scales of other fishes, which then swim free to heal completely.
[#008000]BTW be prepared for a test tomorrow. For those who fail swimming with a couple of Piranhas will be you punishment. LOL Oh yea I don't plan on participating. Not ready to share my blood.![[Image: scaredworried.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/scaredworried.gif)
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Hi Brook - so what was your research source that stated Piranhas do not travel in vast schools? I think that a school of 100 is fairly large. Here is a bit from the Encyclopedia Britannica:[/#008000]Found from northern Argentina to Colombia, piranhas are most diverse in the [url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/18722/Amazon-River"][#35597c]Amazon River[/#35597c][/url], where 20 different species are found. The most infamous is the [/url]red-bellied piranha ([url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/535866/red-bellied-piranha"][#35597c]Serrasalmus nattereri[/#35597c][/url]), with the strongest jaws and sharpest teeth of all. Especially during [url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/659589/low-tide"][#35597c]low water[/#35597c][/url], this species hunts in groups that can number more than [#bf0000]100[/#bf0000]. Several groups can converge in a feeding frenzy if a large animal is attacked, although this is rare. Red-bellied piranhas prefer prey that is only slightly larger than themselves or smaller. Generally a group of red-bellied piranhas spreads out to look for prey. When located, the attacking scout signals the others. This is probably done acoustically, as piranhas have excellent hearing. Everyone in the group rushes in to take a bite and then swims away to make way for the others. Most species of piranhas, however, never kill large animals, and piranha attacks on people are rare. (See also rainforest ecosystem sidebar, “[url "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/461541/Vegetarian-Piranhas/461541suppinfo/Supplemental-Information#toc9118277"][#35597c]Vegetarian Piranhas[/#35597c][/url].”) Although piranhas are attracted to the smell of blood, most scavenge more than they kill. Some 12 species called [/url]wimple piranhas (genus Catoprion) survive solely on morsels nipped from the fins and scales of other fishes, which then swim free to heal completely.
[#008000]BTW be prepared for a test tomorrow. For those who fail swimming with a couple of Piranhas will be you punishment. LOL Oh yea I don't plan on participating. Not ready to share my blood.
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