Pygocentrus palometa is a species of piranha native to South America, where restricted to the Orinoco Basin. Although recognized by FishBase, the scientific name may be a nomen dubium. "Palometa" is a general common name used in South America for many serrasalmids, such as the black spot piranha, red-bellied piranha, redhook myleus, wimple piranha, Metynnis, Mylossoma, Pygopristis denticulata, Pristobrycon striolatus and Serrasalmus, as well as the unrelated marine fish Beryx, Brama, Trachinotus goodei and Taractichthys.