There is a particular kind of fish in some of the freshwater lakes and streams of South America that has perhaps frightened more people than the fiercest sharks; it is the piranha. The fear of this fish is easy to understand, because so many true stories have been told about large animals and people being attacked and eaten by a large school of these bloodthirsty fish. Although they are only four to eighteen inches long, some scientists consider these fierce little fish to be more dangerous than sharks. It’s not unusual for a school of a thousand or more to attack as a group, using their razor-sharp teeth to strip all flesh from an animal or a human being in minutes. Sometimes one will sneak up on another fish, nipping off a fin or scale without otherwise attacking it. The fin soon grows back, and no serious damage has been done.
There are about thirty species of piranhas, but one thing they all have is razor-sharp teeth. These teeth are quickly replaced when the old ones become dull or damaged. Piranhas can open and close their toothy jaws faster than the blink of an eye. Some closely related species eat plants, nuts, fruits, lizards, frogs and snakes.
One species, the red-bellied piranha, is only about seven inches long but is well equipped for its size with razor-sharp teeth in a thick skull. It is actually brownish-purple on its back, but it has a bright-red stomach. While all are fierce looking, some are noted for their beauty, and the red-bellied is among these. Another is covered with scales that are olive flecked with gold; others are deep purple.
Their young hatch from eggs laid in nests prepared by both the male and the female. Once the female has deposited her eggs, the male quickly takes over, guarding them and not letting his mate or any other creature even approach until they have hatched.
Some natives catch and eat piranhas as part of their daily food supply, in addition to selling quantities in fish markets. They apparently make a tasty meal.
These unusual fish are just another example of the millions of creatures living in water which the Creator took a delight in placing there. When we consider His power, wisdom and love to boys and girls all over the earth, we all should respond to the Bible verse which tells us to “remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1)). No one is ever too old to remember our Creator, and no one is ever too young or too old to accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
ML-05/09/2004