Serrasalmus maculatus – Maculatus Piranha
Serrasalmus maculatus was described by Rudolf Kner in 1858. Their common name is Maculatus Piranha or simply Mac.
The genus name Serrasalmus can be broken down into two Latin words. Serran or Serranus means saw. Salmo means Salmon. The species name maculatus comes from Latin and means spotted.
Description
At first glance, the Maculatus Piranha looks very similar to Serrasalmus spilopleura, but there are a number of striking differences between the two species: only juveniles have a bright band at the end of the caudal fin (‘hyaline edge’). , where Serrasalmus spilopleura retains it throughout life. In addition, the pelvic fins have a black tip, where S. spilopleura has clear pelvic fins.
Serrasalmus maculatus can reach a maximum length of around 30 centimeters. However, specimens above 20-25 centimeters are rare in captivity. The difference between males and females is virtually invisible. Only during the spawning period is the female slightly fatter than the male.
Adult specimens, just like S. spilopleura, have a head that is particularly convex for Serrasalmus standards, making them often reminiscent of Pygocentrus species in appearance. It also shares the bright golden yellow color with S. spilopleura, although some specimens are also partially colored orange, red or purple.
Aberrant/unique Appearances:
– Only juveniles have a bright band (‘hyaline edge’) at the end of the caudal fin.
– Ventral fins have a black tip.Ventral fins have black tips.
– A faint shoulder patch
Diet
Fish (fillets, frozen fish such as smelt, live *), shrimps, mussels, earthworms and mealworms, insects, pellets.
* If live fish are fed, a number of things must be taken into account: firstly, all fish can introduce diseases and/or parasites into the aquarium, including goldfish, ide, and other commonly used cold-water fish, as well as tropical fish. It is therefore advisable to keep feed fish in a quarantine aquarium for a week or two first, in order to ‘fish out’ the sick and weakened specimens. In addition, it is important to bear in mind that goldfish and their close relatives are not particularly nutritious. A diet that consists mainly of live fish is therefore not recommended. This is especially true because goldfish and other Cyprinidae (carp-like fish) contain hormones—known as “thiaminase/vitamin B1 inhibitors”—that inhibit 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 turned 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!).
The Aquarium
Young and semi-adults can be kept temporarily in an aquarium of 60 x 30 centimeters, but for fully grown specimens at least an aquarium of 120 x 45 centimeters is required.
If kept in a group of 3 specimens, the aquarium should be at least 150 x 50 centimeters in size. Each additional fish requires an additional 150 liters, with length and depth being more important than height.
Compatible Species
The Maculatus Piranha is one of the rare Serrasalmus species that can be kept (reasonably) successfully in a group, provided the aquarium is spacious enough for each to claim a territory and is provided with a large number of hiding places. Nevertheless, it is advisable to keep this species solitary: they will always remain fin-biters, with an aggressive and unpredictable character. Keeping this species in a school is only advisable to experienced piranha keepers!
With sufficient hiding places, a catfish, such as a Pleco or a Thorny Catfish, can be placed to take care of any food scraps, but there is no guarantee that this will go well. Other fish are unsuitable to keep with this species.
Video
Author
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com (original website no longer accessible)
Copyright images
