Piranha

A piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes of omnivorous freshwater fish that live in South American rivers. In Venezuelan rivers, they are called caribes. They are known for their sharp teeth and a voracious apPiranha teeth are often used to make tools and weapons by the indigeneous population. Piranha are also popular as food, although if an individual piranha is caught on a hook or line, it may be attacked by other piranhas.Piranha are commonly consumed by subsistence fishermen and often sold for food in local markets. In recent decades, dried specimens have been marketed as tourist souvenirs. Piranhas occasionally bite and sometimes injure bathers and swimmers. A piranha bite is sometimes considered more an act of carelessness than that of misfortune, but piranhas are a considerable nuisance to commercial and sport fishers because they steal bait, mutilate catch, damage nets and other gear and may bite when handled.