Pacu

	Scientific Name	Piaractus brachypomus
	Other Names	Pla Paku
	World Record	19.95 kg

Description

Pacu are a narrow, plate-shaped dark gray bodied fish. They have a black upper body and back. With a small mouth and blunt teeth. The most common Pacu is the red bellied as it has a bright red belly, there also black Pacu's along with silver / goldern specimens.

Habitat

Pacu's live in either tropical rivers or landlocked waters. Pacu's are mainly found near the surface in shallow and calm water. The do prefer shaded areas often found under trees and bushes.

Feeding Habit

Pacu's are mainly vegetarians that will adapt to eat almost anything. In the wild they eat very hard nut-like vegetation that they crush in their powerful mouths. Although these fish are related to the parana they do not bite living fish although they sometimes can be caught on lumps of fresh fish flesh.

Age and Growth

Several years ago the government of Brazil set-up a fish farm to spawn and release Red Pacu. This fish farm was very successful at spawning the Red Pacu, and the Red Pacu's spread to many other fish farms all over the World. A consequence of this flood of Red Pacu's is that other Pacu's, such as the Black Pacu, are very difficult to find now.

Tackle and Methods

Tackle consist of a suitable rod and reel set up that is capable of handling fish in the 10 to 15lb sizes. Line also is around the 10 to 15lb class but either strong short leader or small wire trace is required to protect from those short teeth. Fishing near the surface with small fruits, seeds and nuts. When hooked these fish are like an underwater rocket with constant direction changes.
Will head for shelter among roots and snags.

Related Species

Listed below are similar related species that customers have searched.

	Bighead Carp		Mekong Catfish
	Golden Price Carp		Chao Phraya Catfish
	Siamese Carp		Gray Eel Catfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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