Fish's piranha-proof scales could lead to tough, flexible body armor

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The corrugated surface keeps the scales' thick mineralized surface intact while the fish flexes as it swims

A close-up of two Arapaima scales, overlapping as they would in nature

The corrugations, the soft but tough internal layer and the hydration of the scales all contribute to their ability to flex while remaining strong

Marc Meyers, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, holds two overlapping Arapaima scales

The razor-like teeth of the piranha trap the skin and muscle of its prey in a guillotine-like bite

An Arapaima scale rests on the bottom half of Meyers' testing apparatus

A piranha tooth is mounted on the top half of Meyers' testing apparatus

The razor-like teeth of the piranha trap the skin and muscle of its prey in a guillotine-like bite

Arapaima gigas scales have a highly mineralized outside layer, and an internal layer of collagen fibers stacked in a "plywood" formation for maximum toughness

The piranha-bite-proof scales of the Arapaima fish could serve as the inspiration for body armor that is tough yet flexible (Photo: Jeff Kubina)

Article Summary

Here's a question - if piranhas are so ferocious and will attack anything, why aren't they the only fish in the Amazon? Well, in some cases, it's because other fish possess bite-proof armor. The 300-pound (136-kg) Arapaima is just such a fish. In the dry season, when water levels get low, Arapaima are forced to share relatively small bodies of water with piranhas. Their tough-but-flexible scales, however, allow them to remain unharmed. A scientist from the University of California, San Diego is now taking a closer look at those scales, with an eye towards applying their secrets to human technology such as body armor.

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