A piranha is a member of an omnivorous freshwater fish family living in South American rivers. They are known for their sharp teeth and a voracious appetite for meat.

Piranhas are normally about 15 to 25 cm long (6 to 10 inches), although some specimens have been reported to be up to 43 cm (18.0 inches) in length.

Piranhas have the following uses to humans:

• teeth are often used to make tools and weapons by the indigeneous population
• also popular as food
• aquarium trade

Facts!

They are the most ferocious fish in the world. Most formidable fish, like the sharks or the barracudas, usually attack things smaller than themselves. But the piranhas habitually attack things much larger than themselves.

They will snap a finger off a hand incautiously trailed in the water; they mutilate swimmers. They will rend and devour alive any wounded man or beast; for blood in the water excites them to madness.