I caught a BIG red belly Piranha at Camp Far West lake in Northern California.
Probably a Red Belly Pacu, they look almost identical and the Pacu still have big teeth just flat like molars. Piranha of any type are uber illegal in California just like in Texas vs Pacu can be bought at the local Petsmart.
I almost got a pacu in brackenridge park. I bet that red tail ate a ton of fish before he was caught. I heard they're not good to eat like the meat is black? I might me making that up though.
I don't know about the meat being black, it's likely normal color but I think you're right on the table quality of the RTC being poor. If you look at the fish markets in South America there are never RTC's, most of the catfish are Brachyplatystoma/Pseudoplatystoma species like Piraiba/Tiger Shovelnose Catfish/Juruense Catfish. Considering the abundance of RTC's down there that's the only conclusion I can make is they must not be great eating.
