How big can pacu fish get?

How big does a pacu get?

An adult Pacu can be over 30 inches long and will need to be kept in a pond or an enormous tank. Even the two types of Pacu that are most commonly sold in pet stores, the Black Pacu and the Red-Bellied Pacu, will grow to this size. In case you have a big aquarium or you are prepared to get one to keep your fish happy in their environment, read on.

Where do pacus live?

As juveniles and fry, pacus are found around and in the floodplains in tributaries that are rich in nutrients. As they mature, the fish move into the main waterways. In your fish tank, the ideal water PH is one between 6.0-8.0 to mirror the natural habitat of the pacu.

What does a pacu female fish look like?

The abdomen shape is a distinctive feature of pacu females. Males have a more sharp dorsal, their anal fin has pins, and the fish itself is brighter colored than its females. Breeding is impossible in a tank because of the fish size. All species that are on the market are bred in ponds or at farms.

How big should a pacu tank be?

Pet stores sell pacu as small as 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long and neglect to warn customers that fish growth is not inhibited by tank size, contrary to popular fish lore. “Most UK dealers now refuse to stock this species due to the large size and expensive aquarium requirements it demands,” according to Practical Fishkeeping magazine’s Matt Clarke.

What is a pacus fish?

Pacus are a big family of freshwater fish quite related to the Piranhas. However, they aren’t carnivorous fishbut herbivores ones and very peaceful. Thus, their nickname of “ball-cutters” doesn’t seem to be that real. Pacus’ big size makes them a good choice only for experienced aquarists who can provide their required care.

What kind of water do Pacu fish live in?

All pacu fish live in water, but they can differ in the types of water that they like. For example, the parrot pacu ( Ossubtus xinguense) is found in fast-moving rapids while the black pacu ( Colossoma macropomum) prefers calm waters in flooded river basins and wetlands.

What is the difference between a pacus and a piranha?

Although they are relatives of the Piranha, there are some clear differences; Pacus have almost human-like teeth, they are also a plant eating fish, and rarely go after flesh, they also get much larger than piranhas. This fish would make a great species only monster tank, but can dwell with other monster fish as well.

How big does a red bellied pacu get?

These fish belong to the characin (tetra) family in the order Characiformes – they are closely related to piranhas and silver dollar fish. In captivity pacus do not often grow to 30 inches, but they can still get quite large – it is not unreasonable to expect a red bellied pacu to grow to 12 inches or more in length.

Where do red bellied pacu fish live?

These fish are found in the lakes and rivers of South America where they are very popular as a source of food. Because the red bellied pacu can grow up to 30 inches in the wild, it makes for a very hearty meal.

What fish can I put with a red bellied pacu?

Other large, friendly species like datnoids, oscars, and arowana make suitable tank mates for the red bellied pacu. In some cases, red bellied pacus may squabble with others of their own species so it is important to keep these fish in a tank large enough to prevent overcrowding and stress.

Are pacus fish herbivores?

Pacus are a big family of freshwater fish quite related to the Piranhas. However, they aren’t carnivorous fishbut herbivores ones and very peaceful. Thus, their nickname of “ball-cutters” doesn’t seem to be that real. Pacus’ big size makes them a good choice only for experienced aquarists who can provide their required care.

Are there any Piranhas with sharp teeth?

Piranha. Interestingly, the pacu species which is the most piranha-like in appearance, Pygocentrus denticulata13 (which lives on a diet of plant seeds), does not have the piranha’s razor sharp teeth but instead has rounded notched teeth ideal for shearing the husks off seeds.

What do pacus lizards eat?

As such, pacus enjoy veggies; however, they devour meaty meals once in a blue moon. In the wild, they’ll predominantly feed on aquatic plants, seeds, roots, etc. therefore, reciprocate the same in your aquarium by providing spinach, peas, and raw potatoes, etc. equally, feed them with plant-based commercial foods.

What is the natural range of the red-bellied pacu?

The natural range of red-bellied pacu extends from 23°N to 11°S latitude, in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins/flood plains. Common names for this species vary by region.

Is the Pacu fish a herbivore?

The Pacu Fish’ Main Characteristics Pacus are a big family of freshwater fish quite related to the Piranhas. However, they aren’t carnivorous fishbut herbivores ones and very peaceful. Thus, their nickname of “ball-cutters” doesn’t seem to be that real.

How big do red bellied piranhas get?

If you have a really huge aquarium they will grow slightly bigger, but a typical size for a Red-Bellied Piranha in captivity In captivity you should expect to see them around 3 inches less in size. A Red-Bellied Piranha will typically be around 9 inches when it is fully grown.

Why are Piranhas so hard to classify?

But there’s a lot of diet variation among species—that’s one reason piranhas have proved hard to taxonomically classify. Piranhas are also hard to tell apart in terms of species, diet, coloration, teeth, and even geographic range.

What is the origin of the Portuguese word Piranha?

The name originates from the indigenous Tupi people and their respective Tupi language. It is formed from two words, “pirá” meaning fish and “sainha” meaning tooth. Or “pira nya”, probably literally “biting-fish,”. In the mid 18th century the Portuguese merged the word into piranha.

What are 5 interesting facts about piranhas?

Top 10 Piranha Facts. In the wild, piranhas live in the rivers and streams of South America. The word piranha translates into “tooth fish” in Tupi, a Brazilian language. Piranhas live an average of eight years in captivity. Piranhas rarely attack humans.

Are Piranhas reptiles?

In short, no, Piranhas are not reptiles. Within the animal kingdom the order of classification is Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. At the class level are the options mammals, bony fish, cartilaginous fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

What is the origin of the word “Pira”?

First attested in 1869. The first part of the term is from Ere pirá (“fish”). It may be from Old Tupi sanha, sainha (“tooth”), or a Guaraní cognate of the same. It may be from Old Tupi ánha. The full term may have been pira nya, a variant of pira’ya (“scissor-fish”), in Old Tupi.

Are red belly Piranhas dangerous?

More often, red belly piranha can be encountered in some shallows, in deep and muddy waters. Again, as one of the most known piranha kinds, it has a reputation as a freshwater predator dangerous both to humans and animals.

How do Piranhas survive in the Amazon rainforest?

The Piranha can survive in these flooded rainforests, so is a hardy fish. The major river systems in the Amazon basin are the Amazon, the Orinoco, the Paraguay, the Paraná, the São Francisco and the Essequibo. Piranha survive in all of them and the wetlands that stem from them.