Serrasalmus
| Serrasalmus Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| S. rhombeus at Carauari, Brazil | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Serrasalmidae |
| Subfamily: | Serrasalminae |
| Genus: | Serrasalmus Lacepède, 1803 |
| Type species | |
| Salmo rhombeus Linnaeus, 1766
| |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
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Serrasalmus is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, which includes the pacus, piranhas and related fishes. They are collectively known as pirambebas; the "typical" piranhas like the piraya piranha are nowadays placed in Pygocentrus. Like all piranhas, Serrasalmus are native to South America.
One species, S. humeralis, was able to temporarily establish a breeding population in Florida before being eradicated in 1981.