Freshwater

Red-bellied piranha

Piraña de vientre rojo

Pygocentrus nattereri

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

Under 1 lb to 2 lb.

Depth

2–10 ft.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Deep-bodied, silver-gray fish with a bright red-orange belly and throat and a jutting lower jaw full of razor-sharp, triangular teeth.
Typical size: Under 1 lb to 2 lb.
Maximum size: About 13 in and 8 lb.
Diet: Fish, shrimp, crabs and insects; some species also eat fruits and seeds that fall into the water.
Behavior: Lives in big tropical and subtropical rivers, lagoons and flooded forests; many species gather below rapids, dams and river mouths where the current brings food.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Amazon & Pantanal, Paraná & Uruguay Rivers and The Guianas. Rivers, lagoons and flooded areas of the Amazon, Pantanal and Paraná basins, often in schools.
Habitat: Rivers, lagoons and flooded areas of the Amazon, Pantanal and Paraná basins, often in schools.
Depth: 2–10 ft.
Fishing depth: 3–25 ft along banks, rock piles, current seams and lagoon edges.
Best season: The dry season, when the water drops and fish concentrate in the channels and lagoons; rivers close during the spawning season (in Brazil, the piracema, about November to February).
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather with clear water; sudden rains muddy the rivers.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Small pieces of meat or fish on a short wire leader.
Best artificial lures: Small spinners and spoons.
Tackle setup: 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning rod; 8–9 weight fly rod.
Hook size: Strong 2/0–6/0 single hooks; many guides replace trebles with single hooks to protect the fish.
Line: 40–65 lb braid.
Leader: Wire or 60–80 lb fluorocarbon for toothy fish.

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, lagoons and flooded areas of the Amazon, Pantanal and Paraná basins, often in schools.
Rig up: 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting or spinning rod; 8–9 weight fly rod. Wire or 60–80 lb fluorocarbon for toothy fish.
Pick your bait: Small pieces of meat or fish on a short wire leader. Lures: Small spinners and spoons.
Fish it: Splash the rod tip on the water to call them, then drop a meat bait. Set the hook fast; piranha steal bait in seconds.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. No tide — falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Splash the rod tip on the water to call them, then drop a meat bait. Set the hook fast; piranha steal bait in seconds.
BigJoe's tip: Never put your fingers near the mouth. Use pliers, and hold the fish behind the gills.
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: Sweet white meat; piranha soup is a Pantanal tradition.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp teeth on many river fish (dorado, payara, piranha, tararira) — use pliers and lip grips. Caimans, stingrays and strong currents are real hazards; shuffle your feet when wading.
Regulations: Follow local 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: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits