Piranha Population by Country 2024

Piranhas, also known as caribe or piraya, are known for their razor-sharp teeth and predominantly carnivorous diet, though some species are omnivorous. These fish are native to rivers and lakes in South America. Despite the dramatic portrayal in movies, out of the sixty species of piranhas, only a few are actually considered dangerous to humans. These dangerous species are primarily found in the Amazon basin.

The red-bellied piranha, one of the more notorious species, usually feeds on worms, mollusks, and other fish. They often travel in groups of thirty or more and can pose a threat to humans, though deadly attacks are extremely rare. Most people who venture into the Amazon basin waters come out unscathed from piranha encounters.

Piranhas are also found in other South American rivers, such as the Orinoco River in Venezuela, the Paraná River in Argentina, and river systems in the Guianas. However, their presence is not limited to South America. In the United States, piranhas have been discovered under unusual circumstances.

For instance, red piranhas were found in the University Lakes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The prevailing theory is that they were introduced into the ecosystem when someone released their pet fish. As a result, Louisiana State University now faces an unexpected piranha issue. In Louisiana, catching a piranha necessitates killing it, as it is illegal to possess one.

A similar situation occurred in Texas, where pet piranhas are believed to have been released into Tom Bass Park Lake, spreading to other water bodies. Non-native red piranhas have also been found in Lake Michigan and Hawaii, where owning and releasing them into the wild is prohibited.

The government of Bangladesh had to enforce a ban on piranha fish farming, production, fry production, breeding, selling, and purchasing. This action was taken to prevent commercial fisheries from introducing more piranhas into the country. While piranhas typically do not pose a threat to humans, they can be highly destructive, especially when introduced into non-native ecosystems.