Small voraciously carnivorous freshwater fishes of South America that attack and destroy living animals; SYN. pirana, caribe.
Any South American freshwater fish of the genus Serrusalmus, in the same order as cichlids. They can grow to 60 cm/2 ft long, and have razor-sharp teeth; some species may rapidly devour animals, especially if attracted by blood.
Any of various usually small South American characin fishes (genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus) that have very sharp teeth, often appear in schools, and include some that may attack and inflict dangerous wounds upon humans and large animals — called also caribe.