Identifying a red belly pacu or piranha

[ng80]

Hi im trying to decide if a particular fish is a red belly pacu or piranha.

it doesnt have the protuding lower jaw that is common with red belly piranha. and it mouth looks like it cant shut...
it has a black stripe markings on the edge of its tail fins, it is living with smaller fish and not eating them which for a piranah is unusal the fish it self is 4 inches.
it does have a red belly but then again both fish do.

if you can help it would be great cos i dont want to buy a piranha!

 

[smmfish]

You don't want to buy a Pacu either, unless you have like a 400 gallon tank to keep him in. They are known as tank busters because of their massive size.

 

[dougefresh]

sounds like a pacu ...........the easiest way i think to tell is look at the jaw........a piranha's lower jaw will stick out more.................

 

[M|L]

piranha's jaw is slanted at an angle... pacu's jaw is horizontal.

piranha's scales are very metallic and reflective... pacu's scales are dull and dark.

 

[STATIC X]

try to grab it and check the mouth ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Daniel Machado]

A pic would be VERY useful IMHO.

Best regards.

Daniel.

 

[ShadowVengance]

http://www.****************/images_01/allens_pacu_w360.jpg
PACU

i seem to find that Pacus have longer faces and longer fins

 

[dacox]

Just compare the fins to the pictures that Shadow posted and you'll know.

 

[Tongue33]

sounds like a pacu ...........the easiest way i think to tell is look at the jaw........a piranha's lower jaw will stick out more.................

A pacu would also eat your small fish before your piranha would in my opinion Pacu or more acustom to eating live that Piranha in which most case Prianha are the clean up crew for carcasses But if starved or over crowded this all changes

 

[ng80]

I think from the photos and descriptions they are pacu ..
thanks for all your help