A SPATE of attacks on tourists from terrifying piranha-like fish has forced a popular holiday resort to close its doors.
Nearly 94 tourists have been assaulted at a Brazilian resort by creatures with razor-sharp teeth resembling those of humans. Among them, at least 30 required medical attention in 2025 alone.
During one particularly brutal incident, a swimmer had a portion of her finger bitten off by a fish in Praia de Figueira, located in the southwest region of Brazil.
Other victims have required multiple stitches to treat bite wounds.
The attacks have led the authorities to partially close the popular resort in Bonito.
Many of the attacks were attributed to the enormous tambaqui fish from the red piranha family, recognized for their robust teeth and potential to reach lengths of up to four feet.
Kleber Mathubara, an ichthyologist and PhD student in Zoology at the Institute of Biosciences at the University of Sao Paulo, said the fish have “large and incisor-shaped” teeth that are eerily similar to human teeth.
Mathubara said: “These teeth, combined with an impressive biting force, are essential for cutting and breaking harder materials.”
While fish in nature rarely pose a danger to humans, the expert said “accidents can happen” in resorts where tourists feed fish in the water, as animals can miss food or get confused.
Tambaqui fish are omnivorous, but mainly eat plants, fruits and seeds as well as small invertebrates.
They do not naturally occur in the region.
The surge in fish attacks has brought ecotourism practices into sharp focus, with pressure growing on destinations to improve safety standards.
The 30 reported cases of fish bites this year follows another 64 attacks in the area in 2024.
What are tambaqui fish
By James Moules
Tambaqui fish are found in the Amazon and belong to the pacu and red piranha family.
Known for their strong teeth, they can grow to an intimidating four feet in length and weigh more than 100 lbs.
Their intimidating appearance is very similar to the piranha, but tambaqui tend to feed on plants, seeds and small invertebrates unlike their more aggressive, meat-eating cousins.
But tambaqui have a strong bite than many similar fish because they often eat harder foods.
They are native to the tropical areas of the Amazon basin.
Rio Times has reported that the resorts’s land based activities have resumed, but the aquatic areas remain closed until safety measures are put in place.
Officials are reported to have demanded physical barriers to prevent people getting into the water as well as efforts to warn visitors.
Experts told the paper that the fish behaviour is unusual and likely influenced by human behaviour.
Bonito is known for being Brazil’s “national capital of ecotourism”.
In January, horrific footage captured the moment a giant fish attacked a mermaid performer.
Horrified onlookers watched as the Russian actress nearly had her head chomped off by the sea creature.
