PYGO not PACU,...my bad.

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buddah101

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 8, 2005
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Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
I apparently have a Pygocentrus Naterreri (Red Belly) I bought labled as a PACU!!
Are these true piranhas? If so they are probably illegal in Pennsylvania huh? I dont know much about Piranhas, got any info? (Piranha's are illegal here)
I should probably remove it from my arowana tank huh?
Pygo I.D. pic I
Pygo?
Pygo I.D. Pic II

Pygo I.D. Pic III
 
That is indeed Pygocentrus nattereri, or a red bellied piranha. I also live in Pennsylvania and they are legal, I own 6 of them, and they are great fish.

How much did you buy them for? Pacu and Red Bellies are commonly mixed up as juveniles are somewhat similar in appearance.

A pacu's upper jaw sort of hangs over the bottom one, whereas a piranha's jaw is more "bulldog"esque, where the bottom jaw is larger.
 
I only paid $6.00 for it. Its about 4.5" long now. Surprisingly, it's not hurting any of my other fish yet but I keep a close watch on it and will move it as soon as it gets a lil more size on it.
 
Looks like a P. Natt., some more full body pictures would be helpful.
 
I would also add, used to be a res. of PA and I lived on the border of NY (north central) and they sold them south of me and in Corning NY also. Legallities consist mostly of problems with release....and Pir. most definately can't survive up there..... Same reason most snakeheads and whatnot are illegal here in FL
 
Yes mate it's easily done a mate of mine bought a Red Belly Pacu but he asked for a Red Belly Piranha not his fault as he was just getting into the whole fish keeping game he wasn't to know, but the bloody shop assisstant should have know.

There is one OBVIOUS characteristic that this fish has compared to a Pacu ! And that is the mouth on a Piranha it's lower jaw is extended with a much thicker lip and the obvious charateristic is it's teeth!!! :swear:.

Now the Pacu on the other hand still does have teeth but not for ripping flesh or cutting but for grinding down vegetation also it's mouth is not as wide as a piranha although both speices do have identical body's IDENTICAL !!!
 
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