Red-bellied pacu

Care at a glance

Overview

This fish is sold at a few centimeters long but grows into a slab sided giant approaching 80 to 90 cm and many kilograms, so it is one of the most commonly dumped aquarium fish. It needs a very large custom tank or an indoor pond measured in thousands of liters, not a standard home aquarium. It is not aggressive, but its sheer size, appetite, and powerful bite make it a serious commitment for specialists only.

In the wild

Ranges through large river channels and seasonally flooded forest in the Amazon and Orinoco. 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.

Good to know

Piaractus brachypomus is a close relative of the true pacus and the piranhas, but it is mainly a fruit and seed eater with flat, human like molar teeth for crushing. Fishbase records a maximum length of about 88 cm and a weight near 25 kg. Juveniles are often confused with red bellied piranha in stores.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Black pacu

  Colossoma macropomum

  39.4 in (100 cm) · 660 gal (2,500 L)

  39.4 in (100 cm)660 gal (2,500 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Blue hook silver dollar

  Myloplus aylan

  13.8 in (35 cm) · 170 gal (645 L)

  13.8 in (35 cm)170 gal (645 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Sauron silver dollar

  Myloplus sauron

  11.8 in (30 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)

  11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  Sailfin red hook

  Myleus setiger

  11 in (28 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)

  11 in (28 cm)159 gal (600 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Tiger pacu

  Acnodon normani

  5.1 in (13 cm) · 46 gal (175 L)

  5.1 in (13 cm)46 gal (175 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Black piranha

  Serrasalmus rhombeus

  15.7 in (40 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)

  15.7 in (40 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)