Facts About Pacu Fish

Facts About Pacu Fish
••• TatianaMironenko/iStock/GettyImages

"Pacu" refers to several species of freshwater fish native to South America, part of the subfamily Serrasalminae, which also includes the piranha and the silver dollar. "Pacu," a term that originated from the Brazilian Indian language Tupi-guarani, means "quick eater." Pacu fish from the genus Colossoma is popular in the North American aquarium trade, and is also known as "vegetarian piranha."

Size and Uses

Pacu fish grow quickly in comparison to other fish. They can can reach three feet in length when they reach adulthood, but keep growing throughout their lives. Pacu are sold as pet fish in North America, but mainly used as a food fish in South America, because of their large size and fast growth. Pacu fish require fish tanks larger than 500 gallons, an important thing to consider before buying a pet pacu fish.

Diet and Teeth

The main diet of pacu fish includes plants, algae, nuts and fruits, but also smaller fish, when the food supply is short. Pacu fish are very similar to piranhas when juveniles, but have less protrusive lower jaws. They have a single row of teeth, which are very similar to human teeth, used for grinding, chewing and cracking hard nuts that fall into the river.

Species

Pacu refers to nine genera of fish, including Colossoma, Piaractus and Ossubtus. Fish often sold in pet stores are Colossoma macropomum or black pacu and Colossoma brachypomum, or the red-bellied pacu. Also known as "tambaqui" in South America, the black pacu is the largest species in the subfamily Serrasalminae. The endangered Ossubtus xinguense is endemic to the Xingu River, in Brazil, while Piaractus mesopotamicus is endemic to the Paraguay-Parana River basin.

An Invasive Species

Pacu fish of the genus Colossoma were introduced into the wild in some areas of the United States, including California, Hawaii, Florida, Texas and Massachusetts. The introduced fish were probably aquarium releases or unwanted overgrown pets. In Georgia and Florida, Colossoma is already considered an invasive species, which refers to introduced species that rapidly spread and can pose a threat to native wild life.

Related Articles

What Do Minnows Eat?
Mullet Fish Facts
The Average Length of Mahi Mahi
What Do Minnows Eat?
Mullet Fish Facts
Types of Snapping Turtles
Why Is Mahi Mahi Called a Dolphin?
How to Tell Male & Female Zebrafish Apart
What Do Mahi Mahi Fish Eat?
What Eats Snapper Fish?
What Do Sturgeon Fish Eat?
Trout Fish Farming
Proper Bait for Live Turtle Traps
The Difference Between Cod & Black Cod
What Color Would a Tester PH Paper Turn if Is Dipped...
How Does Water Pollution Affect Fish?
What Is the Chemical Formula of Bleach?
What Do Owls Eat?
Role of Algae in Agriculture
What Fish Will Help Clean Up a Pond?

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!