Are there piranhas lurking in North Texas lakes? (2024)

FAQs

Are there piranhas lurking in North Texas lakes? ›

Piranhas fall into the myth more than reality category. According to experts, there is not an established population of piranhas in Lavon Lake. In fact, the United States Geological Survey only shows two documented piranha sightings in Texas with one taking place near Houston and the other near San Antonio.

Piranhas are not currently found in California or elsewhere in the United States.

Texas law prohibits sale and possession of live piranhas and other dangerous or potentially dangerous fish, but many states do not.

Today, piranhas inhabit the freshwaters of South America from the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela up to the Paraná River in Argentina. Though estimates vary, around 30 species inhabit the lakes and rivers of South America today.

Pacu (Colossoma macropomum) are South American freshwater fish that are related to piranha with a few big differences: pacu are vegetarians, and their teeth look startlingly like human teeth! There are several species of fish commonly referred to as pacu.

Piranhas fall into the myth more than reality category. According to experts, there is not an established population of piranhas in Lavon Lake. In fact, the United States Geological Survey only shows two documented piranha sightings in Texas with one taking place near Houston and the other near San Antonio.

Piranhas are not currently found in California or elsewhere in the United States.

It is true that many humans have lost a finger or toe to piranhas, but death is highly unlikely, despite many people swimming in piranha-infested waters in South America on a regular basis.

In summary, while piranhas are carnivorous and can deliver painful bites, they are not inherently bloodthirsty creatures seeking out human prey. Piranha attacks on humans are infrequent and usually involve minor injuries. Check out what creatures are on display at SEA Life Manchester.

In January 2015, a six-year-old girl was found dead with signs of piranha bites on part of her body after her family canoe capsized during a vacation in Monte Alegre, Brazil. Whereas fatal attacks on humans are rare, piranhas will readily feed on bodies of people that already have died, such as drowning victims.

How many people have died from piranhas? ›

Nevertheless, attacks do occur and have been known to be deadly. In 2022, four people were killed in three separate attacks by piranhas in Paraguay. Even so, the fish's reputation has over the decades grown fiercer than its bite, fed by tall tales.

These feisty South American fish are notorious for their sharp teeth, fierce demeanor, and outsized appetites, which allegedly can compel a group of piranhas to skeletonize a cow in minutes.

Piranhas' natural predators include crocodiles, Amazon river dolphins (botos), and herons. With the decline of these predators, piranha populations are increasing in certain rivers. Humans also hunt piranhas for their meat and for the pet trade.

It's called a pacu,” Foy said. Foy said pacus are often mistaken for piranhas because they both have teeth. But a big difference is that piranhas have sharp teeth, and pacus have human-like teeth.

Today, piranhas inhabit the freshwaters of South America from the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela up to the Paraná River in Argentina.

Piranha (Pygocentrus oceanus). Piranhas are an omnivorous species usually found in South American rivers but through a recent marine census a salt water species was found inhabiting tropical waters off the coast of Australia.

Fish Dumping Gone Wrong

Ornamental or pet trade fish that have been found in Minnesota waters include goldfish, koi, pacu, and piranha.

Piranhas have an aggressive image as flesh-eaters, able to dilacerate a human body in seconds. While piranhas do occasionally attack humans, this is only usually when water levels are low and there has never been an official recorded death due to piranha attack.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has verified that a single Red Piranha was caught earlier this week in University Lakes in Baton Rouge. Red Piranha, also known as Red-bellied Piranha, are native to South America and found in the Amazon Basin.