America in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, the north and eastern Guiana Shield rivers, and northeastern Brazilian coastal rivers. Its length is up to 41.5 cm.

These piranhas live in very diverse habitats ranging from soft blackwater, to hard whitewater areas in the Amazon, and as such, are very tolerant of differing water chemistry.

This fish was long known and traded as Serrasalmus niger.

Specimens that are in the upper size ranges can command very steep prices (such as $500 for a 30 cm (12 in) fish).

Like all piranha, they have razor sharp teeth and powerful jaws and caution should be used when performing tank maintenance, particularly when they are of a mature age.

Juveniles are, on average, fairly timid. Individual animal temperament does, of course, vary.