Red-bellied pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
Also known as Pirapitinga, Red pacu, Redbelly pacu, Cachama
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 34.6 in
- 88 cm
- Minimum tank
- 1,057 gal
- 4,000 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Serrasalmidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins across tropical South America.
Overview
The red-bellied pacu is a slab-sided giant from tropical South America. It is a serious commitment, suited only to experienced specialists.
Did you know
The red-bellied pacu's flat, human-like molar teeth and taste for fruit have given it the nickname vegetarian piranha. It can crush hard seeds and nuts with ease.
Caring for the red-bellied pacu
The red-bellied pacu is sold at a few centimeters long but grows into a giant. Because of that growth, it is one of the most commonly dumped aquarium fish. It needs a very large custom tank or an indoor pond of at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L), not a standard home aquarium.
Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. It is mainly a fruit and seed eater.
It is not aggressive, but its sheer size, appetite and powerful bite mean you should choose tank mates with caution. It does fine alone or in a group.
Good to know
The red-bellied pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, is a close relative of the true pacus and the piranhas, in the family Serrasalmidae. FishBase records a weight near 25 kg. Juveniles are often confused with the red-bellied piranha in stores. It also goes by pirapitinga, red pacu and cachama.
In the wild
The red-bellied pacu ranges through large river channels and seasonally flooded forest in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. During the floods it moves into the inundated forest to feed on fruits, seeds and nuts that drop from the trees. Young fish shelter in vegetation, while adults roam open water.
Common questions
What size tank does a red-bellied pacu need?
A red-bellied pacu needs at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a red-bellied pacu need?
A red-bellied pacu is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
What does a red-bellied pacu eat?
A red-bellied pacu is mainly a fruit and seed eater.
How big does a red-bellied pacu get?
An adult red-bellied pacu reaches about 34.6 in (88 cm).
Related species
39.4 in (100 cm)660 gal (2,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Black pacu
Colossoma macropomum
39.4 in (100 cm) · 660 gal (2,500 L)
13.8 in (35 cm)170 gal (645 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Blue hook silver dollar
Myloplus aylan
13.8 in (35 cm) · 170 gal (645 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Sauron silver dollar
Myloplus sauron
11.8 in (30 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
11 in (28 cm)159 gal (600 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Sailfin red hook
Myleus setiger
11 in (28 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)46 gal (175 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Tiger pacu
Acnodon normani
5.1 in (13 cm) · 46 gal (175 L)
15.7 in (40 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Black piranha
Serrasalmus rhombeus
15.7 in (40 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)