realistic pacu size

[saphphx]

Just wondering realistically how big my red bellied pacu will get? I've been told 36 inches is top of the scale, but was also told oscars get to 12" and mine has stopped at 10 and my mates is at 14, so I was wondering how big pacu really get in home aquariums. Want to know if I need a 3 foot wide tank or a 4 foot wide tank. I've been told 24 inches is more realistic then 36.

Thanks!

 

[KNH]

I think 36" is fairly accurate. Go with the 4'. All fish will max at different sizes just like humans but 36" for a redbelly sounds about right.
KNH

 

[Charney]

if you average your two oscars lengths of 10 and 14 inches you get your 12 inches.

 

[cichlaguapote]

Some fish grow smaller in aquarium than the listed wild size is for them but pacu aren't one of them. Liz's are red bellies and I think over 24" mark around 30"..

 

[12 Volt Man]

if you put them in a big enough tank (that allows you to powerfeed them without killing them from poor water quality) you can expect them to get at least 30 inches.

A friend of mine had two 30 inch pacus in a 265 (which is tight).

I grew one up to 18 inches in only a 90 gallon.

so prepared for some monster fish.

the bigger the tank the better.

get the largest tank you can.

 

[santoury]

These are one of the fish that really keep their word lol

 

[---XR---]

i believe red bellied pacu's only get to the 22" range< don't know for sure, i have heard blacks get 30"-4'+ easy.

 

[santoury]

XR - redbellies get to the 3 foot range, actually.

 

[---XR---]

XR - redbellies get to the 3 foot range, actually.

that's cool, never like the fish anyway's, there almost as ugly as lungfish!!!


jk

 

[saphphx]

thanks guys! think we will be going for a 7 or 8x4x4 to stick to the safe side.