Why Pacu?

[Dreamsing]

I see that a LOT of people on here have Pacu and a lot of people get yelled at for having them in tanks that are too small. With such a huge fish, what motivates people to choose Pacu over other similarly massive fish?

I've always wondered, Pacu owners, what are your reasons?

 

[bwid713]

Rescue. Since the "pet" chain stores advice people they can live in 20 gallon tanks.

 

[THD]

Had a Pacu years ago. Pet shop lied to me about size. Actually was first tipped off by a child, 12 year old at most, about the size they grow to : )
Anyway, mine went to a good wildlife preserve. If I ever had the space I would get 3 or 5 in a second. If you have ever watched them eat, especially if you got to feed them veggies by hand you would understand.
Really cool fish.
My 0.02

Matt

 

[jclyde13]

I see that a LOT of people on here have Pacu and a lot of people get yelled at for having them in tanks that are too small. With such a huge fish, what motivates people to choose Pacu over other similarly massive fish?

I've always wondered, Pacu owners, what are your reasons?

Because pacu are by far the most difficult fish to get rid of once they are past the "cute" stage. They are also among the absolute worst fish to keep in an inappropriate tank due to their insane groth rate, waste production, and temperment when kept in a tank that is too small. Basically, if you "yell" at someone, they are more likely to get rid of it ASAP. If you just say something like "I don't think that is the best fish for your aquarium, they get pretty big..." then you'll get responses like "Oh, I think it will be okay, the pet store said ___________________ and plus, it's really cute and gets along with my other fish really well ," which is obviously not the desired response.

I wish I would have gotten "yelled" at by a couple hundred people after buying my pacu, but unfortunately, my first experience with getting "yelled" at was after it had already grown too big to get rid of. Now, my only chance to get rid of it (unless I go the euthenization route, which I am extremely reluctant to do atm) is that a friend of my dad may (or may not) be willing to take it and put it in his privately owned pond.

 

[Chefken]

I think availabilty and price puts them in everyones tanks.....I LIKe silver dollars

 

[Chefken]

IF PAcu cost 90 dollars they would be taken more seriously by the novice set

 

[Dreamsing]

Because pacu are by far the most difficult fish to get rid of once they are past the "cute" stage. They are also among the absolute worst fish to keep in an inappropriate tank due to their insane groth rate, waste production, and temperment when kept in a tank that is too small. Basically, if you "yell" at someone, they are more likely to get rid of it ASAP. If you just say something like "I don't think that is the best fish for your aquarium, they get pretty big..." then you'll get responses like "Oh, I think it will be okay, the pet store said ___________________ and plus, it's really cute and gets along with my other fish really well ," which is obviously not the desired response.

Oh no argument there. I thought about getting some for a while, but research told me there was no way to fit them in my house and still be able to park in my garage. Real monsters those.

I'm really curious about their personality. I know they get big, the Nebraska Zoo has three black pacu in their Amazon display that are adults, the tank is as big as my guest room. Are they fun to interact with? Friendly? Or is it more of a "Wow, Dude, your fish is HUGE!" conversation piece?

 

[FishingOut]

A 3ft vegan piranha.... Whats not to love.
WFIN- When Flaming Is Necessary.

 

[Dreamsing]

A 3ft vegan piranha.... Whats not to love.
WFIN- When Flaming Is Necessary.

That's awesome! Are they really fully herbivorous as adults? I've read on here that some people feed them fish.

 

[Gummy Walrus]

There Cute. Thatsa why.