Elongate Piranha

Serrasalmus elongatus breaks the archetypal piranha body plan with a distinctly elongated, torpedo-like profile and a long projecting snout. This morphology is an adaptation for lepidophagy (scale-eating) and pterygophagy (fin-eating), ambushing other fish from behind and raking off scales or biting off fin rays.

In captivity, S. elongatus must be kept alone or with fish large enough that it cannot harass them, though even then fin-nipping is likely. Despite its smaller apparent bulk compared to rounder piranhas, it is fast, precise, and unpredictable. Water should be soft and warm, replicating Amazonian blackwater.

As with all piranhas, legal restrictions apply in many countries; verify before purchasing.

Water: 24-28°C, pH 5.5-7.0, soft water (1-8 dGH); blackwater tannin supplementation welcomed. Tank: Minimum 400L; elongated tank footprint suits this active swimmer; provide large pieces of driftwood and roots for cover. Feeding: Carnivore; fish fillets, prawns, frozen lance fish; the scale-eating habit can be partially satisfied with whole fresh fish. Breeding: Not reliably recorded in captivity; unique body form makes identification of sexes and pairing challenging. Compatibility: Must be kept alone or with very large, robust fish; its scale-eating habit means it is unsafe with almost any tankmate; confirm local piranha ownership laws.