Pacu caught in a Jersey lake...

[the lion who ate the sun]

Imo, purchasing large fish should be a much more difficult process. We should be demanding that potential owners of fish like pacu, gator gars, arowanas, and arapaima provide proof of acceptable habitats before ever being given a green light. These aren't beta fish. These are massive fish with the potential to disrupt and potentially destroy ecosystems. Why do we treat them the same as guppies?

 

[Wailua Boy]

I think in Europe, Canada and other countries are a lot stricter than the US.

 

[the lion who ate the sun]

I think in Europe, Canada and other countries are a lot stricter than the US.

Can anyone verify? What kinds of policies are in place?

 

[MN_Rebel]

I think in Europe, Canada and other countries are a lot stricter than the US.

Not really, Wailua Boy. U.S has more restrictions on the fish species depends on which state and made some species illegal to own. (Snakeheads, Asian Arowana, Walking Catfish etc) Then there's freshwater rays, piranhas and some large predatory fish are illegal in southern United States. Its ridiculous that people keeps releasing pacus back in our waters every year. Why? Because pacus are cheapest and always available at your Walmart 24/7.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Its kind of like the availability of antibiotics in pet industry. You aren't going to be find over the counter antibiotics in most countries....The sale of Glofish is another example....

 

[piranhaman00]

Pacu should not be able to be sold at chain pet stores, period.

 

[the lion who ate the sun]

Pacu should not be able to be sold at chain pet stores, period.

Agreed. Absolutely. Same with arowanas. Most people who buy them simply cannot house them. I caught a pet smart employee telling a customer they grow to the size of the tank two weeks ago. Was telling this guy he could house it in a 55 with his 'school of Oscars' with no problems. Didn't feel bad about immediately calling it out and bringing up pics of full grown adults on my phone.

 

[johnny potatoes]

Here's a black pacu I had a few years ago. I gave it to a friend with a 1000 gallon pond when it outgrew my 240. We estimated it weight at 10-12 lbs. One of the few fish I've had that I really miss, it had a great personality. Rapps has had one for sale for months, so far I've been able to fight the urge.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

The biggest or one of the biggest pacu in Arapaimag's 52,000 gal is around 50 lb, AFAIK.