Piranhas are South American fish that typically swim in large schools and opportunistically feed upon other animals. Their aggression is enhanced when there is blood in the water. Much mythology revolves around these fish and they have been made to be far more aggressive than they are in reality. During the dry seasons where these fish occur, schools can become trapped in oxbow lakes and temporary ponds. As they deplete the food resources in these confined circumstances, they are probably more dangerous than would normally be the case. Piranhas have razor sharp teeth and strong jaw muscles. They use these tools to strip meet from prey items. These fish are often exported for the aquarium trade. This specimen was photographed in the Peruvian Amazon 2010.