Comments on: Piranha in Indiana http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 13:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573483 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573483 Yeah, I was going to talk about the Pacu thing, too. Because, get this: If it had been a Piranha and the dad stuck his thumb all the way in its mouth, he would not have said thumb any more. Or at least the flesh would be severely abraded, to the point of likely amputation. He wouldn't be saying "This thing's got teeth," he'd be saying "ahhhh nooooo helllllllp!!!" Yeah, I was going to talk about the Pacu thing, too. Because, get this: If it had been a Piranha and the dad stuck his thumb all the way in its mouth, he would not have said thumb any more. Or at least the flesh would be severely abraded, to the point of likely amputation. He wouldn’t be saying “This thing’s got teeth,” he’d be saying “ahhhh nooooo helllllllp!!!”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-575536 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-575536 Piranha bite looks like letter U made with tiny needles. Single bite is harmless. Piranha bite looks like letter U made with tiny needles.
Single bite is harmless.

]]> By: geobarefoot http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573502 geobarefoot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573502 I was just searching for an article about a pacu that was fished out of a nearby reservoir a few years back when I stumbled across this U.S. distribution map. It might surprise you. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=427 I was just searching for an article about a pacu that was fished out of a nearby reservoir a few years back when I stumbled across this U.S. distribution map. It might surprise you.
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=427

]]> By: dorkhero http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573249 dorkhero Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573249 "(Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologist Dean Zimmerman) expects this is an isolated case, probably of someone dumping their pet in the river." You hope... “(Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologist Dean Zimmerman) expects this is an isolated case, probably of someone dumping their pet in the river.”

You hope…

]]> By: Boba Fett Diop http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573251 Boba Fett Diop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573251 Indiana just got a whole lot more exciting. Indiana just got a whole lot more exciting.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573252 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573252 The "It must have been someone's pet" line is about as believable as "Routine Training Mission". It's like the FIRST ones were pets. The Indiana DNR guys are worried that it will cause a hit to tourism if people know. Pirahna have been spotted and caught in neighboring Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and several other traditionally temperate climate states. The “It must have been someone’s pet” line is about as believable as “Routine Training Mission”.

It’s like the FIRST ones were pets.

The Indiana DNR guys are worried that it will cause a hit to tourism if people know.

Pirahna have been spotted and caught in neighboring Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and several other traditionally temperate climate states.

]]> By: jimh http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573257 jimh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573257 @#2: Agreed. Having grown up in Indiana, I can only say that this was the stuff of a young boy's wildest imagination. Piranha in the creek! Awesome! @#2: Agreed.
Having grown up in Indiana, I can only say that this was the stuff of a young boy’s wildest imagination. Piranha in the creek! Awesome!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573769 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573769 If he stuck his finger is the mouth of a piranha, he would have a chunk bitten off. That looks something like this http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1034 Looks like this is a harmless pacu. Also the large size indicates that it is a pacu, Piranha raised in captivity rarely get that large. If he stuck his finger is the mouth of a piranha, he would have a chunk bitten off. That looks something like this http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1034
Looks like this is a harmless pacu. Also the large size indicates that it is a pacu, Piranha raised in captivity rarely get that large.

]]> By: Jason Rizos http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573263 Jason Rizos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573263 *Sigh* Call me when one skeletalizes a Hoosier. *Sigh* Call me when one skeletalizes a Hoosier.

]]> By: knodi http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573270 knodi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573270 Great. Now I guess we have to bomb the amazon. As if we didn't have enough things to bomb already. Great. Now I guess we have to bomb the amazon. As if we didn’t have enough things to bomb already.

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573271 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573271 This happened once in my hometown in Ohio, except that it was a small lake and not a stream. As far as I know, the piranha can't make it through the winter in the area so it is most likely a pet release. This happened once in my hometown in Ohio, except that it was a small lake and not a stream. As far as I know, the piranha can’t make it through the winter in the area so it is most likely a pet release.

]]> By: monkey_pirate http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573278 monkey_pirate Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573278 At what point does "sticking your finger in the mouth" become essential to the animal identification process? I never read the manual, so someone, please tell me. This is vital information. At what point does “sticking your finger in the mouth” become essential to the animal identification process?

I never read the manual, so someone, please tell me. This is vital information.

]]> By: kc0bbq http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573537 kc0bbq Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573537 @21 - That map doesn't establish surviving populations, though. Over most of the US the pacu can't survive the winter. @21 – That map doesn’t establish surviving populations, though. Over most of the US the pacu can’t survive the winter.

]]> By: imcampos http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573282 imcampos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573282 This is actually very serious. I believe this fish has no natural predator in US rivers, and its proliferation can be devastating. This is actually very serious. I believe this fish has no natural predator in US rivers, and its proliferation can be devastating.

]]> By: Pete Hoffman http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-574053 Pete Hoffman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-574053 That is a bit big for a Red-Bellied Piranha... More likely, it's a Red Pacu, omnivorous cousin of the Piranha. These things are sold by irresponsible pet stores to people when they are the size of a quarter...thing is, they will outgrow pretty much ANY tank you put them into. As such, this certainly wouldn't be the first time someone would find one. They have teeth, as well, that would hurt if they chomped down. Their teeth are more rounded than a Piranha's...if it was a Piranha, I'd expect the story to mention that the guy who offered his finger to it needed stitches... That is a bit big for a Red-Bellied Piranha…

More likely, it’s a Red Pacu, omnivorous cousin of the Piranha. These things are sold by irresponsible pet stores to people when they are the size of a quarter…thing is, they will outgrow pretty much ANY tank you put them into. As such, this certainly wouldn’t be the first time someone would find one.

They have teeth, as well, that would hurt if they chomped down. Their teeth are more rounded than a Piranha’s…if it was a Piranha, I’d expect the story to mention that the guy who offered his finger to it needed stitches…

]]> By: vonnegutlives http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573559 vonnegutlives Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573559 Awesome, Lafayette mentioned on Boing Boing! (I lived there for 9 years - nice college town.) Awesome, Lafayette mentioned on Boing Boing! (I lived there for 9 years – nice college town.)

]]> By: zyodei http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-732792 zyodei Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-732792 <blockquote>asdf</blockquote>

asdf

]]> By: Jason Rizos http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573304 Jason Rizos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573304 @#9 Perhaps there is some other terrifying Amazonian creature we could release into Indiana to help keep their population in check? But yeah, habitat changes due to global warming could make this a reality in more Southern ecosystems. @#9

Perhaps there is some other terrifying Amazonian creature we could release into Indiana to help keep their population in check?

But yeah, habitat changes due to global warming could make this a reality in more Southern ecosystems.

]]> By: mwschmeer http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573305 mwschmeer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573305 I'd be more worrid if the candiru was found. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candiru http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2288/can-the-candir-fish-swim-upstream-into-your-urethra-revisited http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/candiru.html I’d be more worrid if the candiru was found.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candiru

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2288/can-the-candir-fish-swim-upstream-into-your-urethra-revisited

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/candiru.html

]]> By: mwschmeer http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573306 mwschmeer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573306 "worried" not "worrid". damn. “worried” not “worrid”. damn.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573562 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573562 Indiana is becoming very exciting, in case you missed this. 6 foot alligator, not all that far from this story. http://www.chestertontribune.com/Environment/alligator_shot_in_jasper_county.htm Indiana is becoming very exciting, in case you missed this. 6 foot alligator, not all that far from this story.

http://www.chestertontribune.com/Environment/alligator_shot_in_jasper_county.htm

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573818 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573818 we had one found in Po river, northern italy, just 3 days ago http://www.corriere.it/cronache/09_agosto_23/piranha_pescato_po_7eda0db6-8fe1-11de-ab60-00144f02aabc.shtml global piranha epidemic ? we had one found in Po river, northern italy, just 3 days ago

http://www.corriere.it/cronache/09_agosto_23/piranha_pescato_po_7eda0db6-8fe1-11de-ab60-00144f02aabc.shtml

global piranha epidemic ?

]]> By: Boba Fett Diop http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573313 Boba Fett Diop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573313 Wait until they start finding candiru in Michigan. Wait until they start finding candiru in Michigan.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573315 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573315 @monkey pirate He probably stuck his finger in the mouth not to identify but simply to hold (possibly during hook removal) in the more or less traditional manner not expecting there to be teeth and thus exclaiming as such upon their discovery @monkey pirate

He probably stuck his finger in the mouth not to identify but simply to hold (possibly during hook removal) in the more or less traditional manner not expecting there to be teeth and thus exclaiming as such upon their discovery

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573831 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573831 If I remember correctly, the last guy who caught a piranha in Griffy Lake (a Hoosier locale), reported it the the DNR. Then, he cooked the puppy up and ate it. Doesn't sound like the Lafayette guy had that kind of follow-through. If I remember correctly, the last guy who caught a piranha in Griffy Lake (a Hoosier locale), reported it the the DNR. Then, he cooked the puppy up and ate it. Doesn’t sound like the Lafayette guy had that kind of follow-through.

]]> By: proto http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573833 proto Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573833 Sheesh, everyone always focuses on the negative! What they fail to mention is that the piranha is a tasty fish -- delicious, actually. And, given their predilections, very easy to catch! Sheesh, everyone always focuses on the negative!

What they fail to mention is that the piranha is a tasty fish — delicious, actually.

And, given their predilections, very easy to catch!

]]> By: nanuq http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573343 nanuq Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573343 "(Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologist Dean Zimmerman) expects this is an isolated case, probably of someone dumping their pet in the river." While poor alligators just get flushed into sewers. Species prejudice at work. “(Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologist Dean Zimmerman) expects this is an isolated case, probably of someone dumping their pet in the river.”

While poor alligators just get flushed into sewers. Species prejudice at work.

]]> By: TikiHead http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573379 TikiHead Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573379 My aquarium-expert friend says it is a Pacu, a harmless Piranha look alike. They are very common for large aquarium owners to have, so apparently someone dumped this guy. My aquarium-expert friend says it is a Pacu, a harmless Piranha look alike. They are very common for large aquarium owners to have, so apparently someone dumped this guy.

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573894 Beanolini Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573894 #18, Keith: <blockquote> Reminds me of the story a few months back about Boa constrictors. A few escaped from a pet store in Florida during hurricane Katrina. Now, their descendants are spread across Florida, Alabama and into southern Georgia </blockquote> Are you sure you're not confusing this with the long-established <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080520131750.htm">Burmese pythons</a> in Florida? Although <a href="http://tortoise-aid.org/hurricaneherps.html">various reptiles</a> escaped during Katrina, Boas' slow reproduction rates make it extremely unlikely that they'd have spread to Alabama & Georgia in the few years since. #18, Keith:

Reminds me of the story a few months back about Boa constrictors. A few escaped from a pet store in Florida during hurricane Katrina. Now, their descendants are spread across Florida, Alabama and into southern Georgia

Are you sure you’re not confusing this with the long-established Burmese pythons in Florida?

Although various reptiles escaped during Katrina, Boas’ slow reproduction rates make it extremely unlikely that they’d have spread to Alabama & Georgia in the few years since.

]]> By: Boba Fett Diop http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/piranha-in-indiana.html#comment-573383 Boba Fett Diop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-573383 Great, now all the Piranha are going to start wearing signs that say "I'm really just a Pacu." Great, now all the Piranha are going to start wearing signs that say “I’m really just a Pacu.”

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