Pygocentrus cariba
| Pygocentrus cariba | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota | 
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Chordata | 
| Class: | Actinopterygii | 
| Order: | Characiformes | 
| Family: | Serrasalmidae | 
| Genus: | Pygocentrus | 
| Species: | P. cariba  | 
| Binomial name | |
| Pygocentrus cariba (Humboldt, 1821)  | |
Pygocentrus cariba or black spot piranha is a species of piranha endemic to Venezuela and Colombia; specifically, to the Orinoco River basin lowlands and the Llanos region. This species can reach a total length of 27.9 centimetres (11.0 in). It is popular as a game fish.
They are a carnivorous species, that feed on a wide variety of fish, carrion, invertebrates, and other aquatic animals.
The name Cariba means cannibal in native language, and comes from the people of the Island Caribs who had a reputation as warriors who raided neighboring islands, and practiced cannibalism, according to the Spanish conquistadors. This species has very high propensity for cannibalism among its species.