Serrasalmus altuvei
Serrasalmus altuvei was officially described by Ramírez in 1965. They are also called Altuvei or Caribe Azul (= Blue Piranha) as common names. They can reach a total length of around 20 centimeters.
The Serrasalmus altuvei Piranha is very similar to Serrasalmus compressus, but can be distinguished from this species by the pattern, which is hardly or never below the lateral line (with S. compressus, the pattern is visible over the entire flank).
Deviating/unique Appearances:
• Red eyes.
• Spotted pattern mainly situated above the lateral line.
• Concave head shape.
Biotope
The Altuvei Piranha is found in the clear waters of the Venezuelan Llanos. It is a rare sight in captivity and reportedly quite rare in the wild as well.
The Aquarium
Adult fish need an aquarium of at least 120x50x50 centimeters. Young fish can be kept temporarily in a smaller aquarium, with a minimum size of 80x35x40 centimeters.
The aquarium should be equipped with sufficient hiding places, obtainable by the use of (drift) wood, stones, and/or plants. This is to meet the often somewhat skittish nature of this fish. In addition, there should be sufficient open swimming space available, as this species is a fast swimmer. Optionally, a flow pump can be used for additional flow in the water.
Temperature: 24 – 30°C
pH: 5.5 – 7.5
Compatible species
None: Due to its habit of parasitizing on the fins and scales of other fish, it is not possible to keep this species with other piranhas or other fish species. In some cases it has been possible to keep Armored Catfish (Plecos) or Spiny Catfish with this species, but a large number of hiding places (and a good dose of luck) are indispensable for this.
Diet
Fish (fillets, frozen fish and live feeders *), shrimp, prawns, mussel, squid and other sea fruits, earth worms, meal worms and other insects, flakes, pellets, granules.
* When feeding live fish, a number of things should be considered: First, all fish can introduce diseases and/or parasites into the aquarium, including goldfish, windes and other commonly used cold water fish as well as tropical fish. It is therefore also advisable to keep food fish in a quarantine aquarium for a week or 2, in order to ‘flush out’ the sick and weakened specimens. In addition, it should be taken into account that goldfish and close relatives are not particularly nutritious. A diet that usually consists of live fish is therefore not recommended. All the more because goldfish and other Cyprinidae (carp-like) contain hormones – so-called “Thiaminase / Vitamin B1 inhibitors” – that paralyze the production of certain growth-stimulating substances in predatory fish. A very one-sided goldfish diet can therefore lead to growth and development disorders!
It may take a while for the fish to accept prepared food: if this is the case, make sure the fish is well fed with live food and then introduce a fasting period of a week to 12 days. During this period, provide the desired prepared food while the lighting is dimmed or switched off. If it doesn’t work the first time, supplement with live food and try again. Piranhas can go without food for a number of weeks without any problems, so the fish is not in any danger during this “cure” (with the exception of specimens smaller than about 8 centimeters!).
Video
Author
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com (original website no longer online)
Images
Taken from the first video
