Red Piranha Pygocentrus Nattereri (Characiformes: Charadidae):An Invasive Fish Species in Freshwater Ecosystems of Eastern States of India

Red Piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri Kner, 1860, is an ornamental fish belonging to the family Characidae, order Characiformes. This fish is native to South America where it occurs widely in lowland areas of Central and Southern America east of the Andes including the Amazon and Parana basins and various central drainages of the Guianas and Brazil (Fink, 1993). The fish has established in China from where it has probably entered into Bangladesh waters. Of late, it has been reported from peninsular India. As opined by Bijukumar (2000), this fish was introduced in India illegally by aquarium traders and in course of time it has found its way into the natural water systems.