red-bellied pacu

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equidae9854

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Hi guys,
I didn't know where to put this, so I just put it in the general section; i apologize if it doesn't belong here.

I was wondering what everyone's experiences were with a pacu.

Here are some questions I've got:

I've heard two different stories, one that they are peaceful vegetarians, and the other, that they are very nippy and will eat other fish (shred them to pieces)

i've also heard that they are very destructive, and can even shatter your tank if they swim into it.

it says that they do best in groups, but how many is considered a group?


Thanks!
 
Don't get one. Sooner or later they all end up in the lake or being dropped off at an aquarium.
They go both ways. Some I've had are MEAN AS CRAP. Some are awesome and calm. Depends on the fish and the environment it's in.

Just to give you an idea.....I put out word in the zoo/aquarium world that I was looking for a couple. We've been overwhelmed with places trying to dump them on us b/c someone dropped off a pacu they bought at Petco, and now it's 40 lbs and eats small kids. (I'm not kidding at all about the size. I've got a few 30-40lb pacu coming from the Omaha Zoo.)
 
they get huge, agreed. I see them at walmart and before I knew what they were I bought one... it was the size of a dinner plate when it died, and it had the 38g all to itself cuz I had nowhere else for it. What a shame, lack of research on my part, stupidity on the part of any store that sells them as an aquarium fish. Oh, mine was peaceful.
 
I agree with everyone, Pacus get VERY large, and LFS should make their customers aware of this. I have had several over the last 10 years. My black pacu, which is the biggest of the bunch was peaceful, and died from ramming glass when spooked. I had a pair of Red belly Pacu, the larger chased the smaller all the time, till he eventaully killed it from making it also ram the glass. Still have my 22 incher that i raised from 3". Here's his pic, he fight with a giant gourami all day, but I have no room to separate the two.

Pacu2.JPG
 
although they get huge the people at petsmart told me they only get about 10 inches
but it is my fault for not researching before i got it
i have had them for 2 months they went from 1.5 in to 5in
the larger one eats veggies as well as the occasional guppy/goldfih but the smaller only eats veggies/flakes
 
Thanks guys. Yeah, I've been looking into these guys for quite some time now, but it seems like I get a different feedback about them at every site I go to and every person I ask. IMFishHead, what size do you have yours in? He's gorgeous!
 
It's scary when everyone is in aggreement on something here, but count me in too.

I'd get rid of mine if it wasn't so personable. Reminds me of an Oscar, just WAY bigger.

Dr Joe

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I can't understand how wal-mart can sell these fish. it's absolutely insane!:irked:

I agree with all in all respects. I saw a 30" pacu at an LFS one time.
 
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