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Red-bellied Piranha

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus Nattereri

  • 3lakes
  • 152logged catches
  • 2.67 kg heaviest logged

Red-bellied Piranha (Pygocentrus Nattereri) is a species of carnivorous fish found widely throughout South America, that particularly likes to inhabit warm freshwater basins, major rivers, streams and lakes of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and other countries of the continent. Fully grown Red-bellied Piranha are easily recognized by their olive-green or gray-silvery bodies with reddish bellies and spiky sharp teeth. These fish can reach up to 3.9 kg in weight and 50 cm in length. Piranhas usually tend to live and hunt in schools and can go into a feeding frenzy, devouring a large fish or even a bird within minutes. However, despite their reputation, Red-bellied Piranhas on their own are hardly the ferocious predators everyone believes them to be, and are omnivorous scavengers that will also feed on insects, worms, crustaceans and fish.

What actually catches it ranked by real logged catches

Baits

Lures

Best setups by lake 3 lakes with data

Marron River — 54 catches , best 2.67 kg

  • X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0 Spinning
  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning Boat
  • Swimbait 64 g, #4/0 Spinning
  • Jauari Palm Fruit Hook #6/0 Float Shore 280 m

Amazonian Maze — 51 catches , best 2.4 kg

  • Swimbait 71 g, #5/0 Spinning
  • Buzzbait 28 g, #5/0 Spinning
  • Duo Swimbait 56 g, #4/0 Spinning
  • Camu-Camu Hook #5/0 Feeder bottom

Maku-Maku Lake — 47 catches , best 2.21 kg

  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom Shore
  • Narrow Spoon 7 g, #1/0 Spinning
  • Freshwater Prawns Hook #1/0 Feeder bottom
  • Patriotic Walker 14 g, #3/0 Spinning

How to catch

How to catch a unique Red-bellied Piranha? You can catch this fish either with bait or lures.

If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Red-bellied Piranha would be to use Camu-Camu on a size #4/0 hook.

If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Swimbaits. The most successful lure is Black/White/Yellow X-Series Walker 14 g, #4/0.

Where to find it

Also listed as effective documented, but not seen in the catch log

Data compiled from fp-collective and the Fishing Planet Wiki . Snapshot taken 2026-08-20. Game content and imagery © Fishing Planet LLC.