Freshwater

Black piranha (redeye piranha)

Piraña negra (caribe pinche, piranha preta)

Serrasalmus rhombeus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

3–20 ft.

Best time

Day and evening.

Found in

5 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: The biggest piranha: deep, diamond-shaped silver-gray to black body, bright red eyes and a jutting lower jaw packed with razor teeth.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 18 in and over 8 lb.
Diet: Fish and pieces bitten from bigger fish.
Behavior: Usually alone or in small groups, unlike the red-bellied piranha; holds in current near rocks and fallen trees.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Amazon & Pantanal, The Guianas, Venezuela & Colombia Rivers, Amazon Mouth (Belém, Marajó & Amapá) and Bolivia & Peru Lakes & Rivers. Rivers, rapids and lagoons of the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guianas.
Habitat: Rivers, rapids and lagoons of the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guianas.
Depth: 3–20 ft.
Fishing depth: 3–10 ft near rocks and wood.
Best season: All year; best at low water.
Best time: Day and evening.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Any.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Cut fish or meat.
Best artificial lures: Spoons, jigs and crankbaits (it often wrecks soft plastics).
Tackle setup: Medium baitcasting or spinning rod.
Hook size: 1/0–3/0 long-shank.
Line: 20–30 lb braid.
Leader: Wire leader — always.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rivers, rapids and lagoons of the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guianas.
Rig up: Medium baitcasting or spinning rod. Wire leader — always.
Pick your bait: Cut fish or meat. Lures: Spoons, jigs and crankbaits (it often wrecks soft plastics).
Fish it: Drop cut bait near rocks and wood in current, or catch them as a bonus on lures while peacock fishing.
Time it: Day and evening. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Drop cut bait near rocks and wood in current, or catch them as a bonus on lures while peacock fishing.
BigJoe's tip: A wire leader saves lures; black piranhas bite through mono and fluorocarbon in a second.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: White, tasty meat; piranha soup (caldo de piranha) is a classic river dish.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: One of the worst bites of any fish — it can take off part of a finger. Always use long pliers and never put your hand near the mouth.
Regulations: Generally no special limits; follow the local license rules. Every country requires a fishing license (in Brazil, the Licença de Pesca Amadora), each Argentine province and Brazilian state adds its own rules, and most rivers close during the spawning season. Indigenous lands and strict reserves are closed to outside anglers without permits.
Conservation: Common and widespread.

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Sources & photo credits