Alerts

Please be advised that some of our bird aviaries are closed!
Your Toronto Zoo is committed to the health and safety of the animals in our care. We are taking proactive steps to protect our birds from Avian Influenza, and as a result some birds may be off display.

Please note the following animals that may not be viewable at this time:

Australasia Pavilion
Southern hairy-nosed wombats are currently not viewable.
Australasia reptiles (black tree monitor, red-bellied short-necked turtles, red-tailed green rat snakes, emerald tree boas, green tree pythons, Stimson’s pythons, Lau banded iguanas) are off display

Canadian Domain:
Closed for the season.

African Savanna:
Some animals may not be viewable due to decreasing temperatures.

Kids Zoo
Closed for the season.

Fish

Location at the Zoo:
Americas
Region: South America

Red-breasted piranha

Size is usually 15 to 25 cm long although some specimens have been reported to be up to 43 cm in length. Piranhas are generally flattened from side to side and have a high body; all have an adipose fin. All piranhas have a single row of sharp teeth in both jaws; the teeth are tightly packed and interlocking and are used for rapid puncture and shearing. Individual teeth are typically broadly triangular, pointed, and blade-like.

The sides are olive green to pale brown, in some individuals marked with darker blotches in no particular pattern. Some scales on the sides sparkle in certain light conditions and reflect bright silver or yellow. The back is dark blue-grey or brown. The throat, belly, as well as pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are bright red in healthy specimens.

Conservation Status: IUCN

Distribution:

In South America throughout the rivers of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Individual specimens have been found in the southern U.S. by introduction, although they cannot survive cold winters.

Habitat:

They inhabit all types of freshwaters, from quiet and weedy to clear rushing streams.

Diet:

Highly predaceous carnivores, but they also scavenge for food and consume insects, snails, worms, plants, and fins of other fishes. Small fishes are their usual diet but injured or dead animals are eagerly devoured. Adults forage mainly at dusk and dawn; smaller fishes feed during the day. They exhibit a "lurking, then dashing" behavior during the day.

Reproduction:

One or several pits are dug and these pits and are well guarded by the parents. The female sprays up to 1500 adhesive eggs over the area which is then fertilized by the male. The eggs will hatch in about four days. As the fry grow, they must find enough food or they attack each other.

Adaptation:

The slender, muscular tail section of the body and the stiff, blade-shaped lobes of the tail fin help drive the piranha rapidly through the water towards its prey. There are especially thick scales in the area of its head which protect this fish as it butts against a carcass when feeding. The lower jaw extends out past the upper to assist in tearing off bites of food.

Threats to Survival:

Although this species is quite common, they are under pressure from a variety of sources. Piranhas are a popular food item and are sold in local markets. In recent decades dried specimens have been sold as tourist souvenirs. Several species of piranha are obtainable in the aquarium trade, the most common being the red-bellied piranha.