Any Pacu Fans?

[akskirmish]

I've done alot of research and everything I have read has said the red bellied pacu only needs 75-90 gallons. Its is the black fin pacu that needs 300. I have a red belly. An oscar will get too big, I'm looking for something that doesn't get bigger than 10 inches. He just moved over from a 35 to a 90 gallon, and i just don't have the space or $$ for anything bigger. I have double the filtration rate for a 90 gallon going with two emperor biowheel 400s and a 600 biowheel hood, totaling about 1200 gph, and so far he's doing great. I like the Mirror idea though, I'll try it.

This one snuck in on me-
You setting yourself up for a disaster man-
Not trying to be a prick either-
A 90 gal will last all of a month or two for a pacu with proper diet and water routine....A redbellie-Like I have will reach the above mentioned...In a hurry I might add....My pacu is 4 years old and is 2 foot and growing strong....He got to the 14 to 15 inch range in the matter of a year and some change....

Your Filtration may be fine-But you'll find out you are going to need alot more just for the pacu alone.....Very heavy feeders that produce a ton of waste....I strongly suggest you keep up with water params and maintnence as well...

 

[vivid930]

I simply can't do anything bigger so it will have to last him. I am one of those people who bought him without knowing what I was getting myself into. I thought he'd stay the size of a silver dollar or slightly bigger. In 3 months, he and his girlfriend were the size of a small tea plate. That's when I started doing research. I really think Petco, and Pet smart, and Wallmart, where I've seen them should not be allowed to sell pacu. I can't imagine the number of pacu that die in tanks waiting for someone to buy them, and then the number that die from lack of care when people don't have the resources to put them in the appropriate tank size.

 

[akskirmish]

I simply can't do anything bigger so it will have to last him. I am one of those people who bought him without knowing what I was getting myself into. I thought he'd stay the size of a silver dollar or slightly bigger. In 3 months, he and his girlfriend were the size of a small tea plate. That's when I started doing research. I really think Petco, and Pet smart, and Wallmart, where I've seen them should not be allowed to sell pacu. I can't imagine the number of pacu that die in tanks waiting for someone to buy them, and then the number that die from lack of care when people don't have the resources to put them in the appropriate tank size.

Very true-
I was in the same boat man------Hance why I keep saying I'm not jumping on you but rather informing you....

 

[cichlaguapote]

Have you thought about a small pond? The other bad thing about pacu is they can spook easily and can ram tank glass leading crack/break.

 

[vivid930]

Have you thought about a small pond? The other bad thing about pacu is they can spook easily and can ram tank glass leading crack/break.

I've read that about them. For that reason I have bubble curtians at both ends of the tank. He doesn't like to swim through them. It may be his particular prediliction, but it works for us. He was ok in his 35 for 4 years, so hopefully the extra room in the 90 won't lead to an issue.

also, as far as the big eater comment, mine isn't. I feed him dates, nuts, dried bananas, and algae chips on a regular basis, then watermellon rinds, and cucumbers when I make them myself. He only eats about 1 date and a small handful of nuts a day, and doesn't come to the top for more after that. Do other people with Pacu find that they eat more than that???

 

[demjor19]

Very true-
I was in the same boat man------Hance why I keep saying I'm not jumping on you but rather informing you....

i am sort of on the opposite end of the spectrum...i rescued my 22+ incher from a 55 gallon tank.

Vivid930: you say this fish is 4 years old and just over a foot? that doesnt sound right at all. as said above a 4 year old typically should be 24+ inches.

 

[vivid930]

i am sort of on the opposite end of the spectrum...i rescued my 22+ incher from a 55 gallon tank.

Vivid930: you say this fish is 4 years old and just over a foot? that doesnt sound right at all. as said above a 4 year old typically should be 24+ inches.

Its true though. We measured him last week. I bought him in December of 04. He's been in a 35 gallon until this week when I upgraded him to a 90. He's only ever been sick once, and it was a water issue. I had the filter for a 75 gallon on the 35 for him.

 

[KNH]

I have 2 pacu in my 750g that have grown rapidly and eat huge amounts. The older one is 25" and the younger one is 21". They both passed the 18" mark at just over a year. Perhaps all reds are not the same but this has been my experience.
KNH

 

[demjor19]

Its true though. We measured him last week. I bought him in December of 04. He's been in a 35 gallon until this week when I upgraded him to a 90. He's only ever been sick once, and it was a water issue. I had the filter for a 75 gallon on the 35 for him.

i am thinking these guys have been stunted from being in the 35 for that long.

 

[Zoodiver]

i am thinking these guys have been stunted from being in the 35 for that long.

Agreed.