BLACK PACU

Ravenous eaters, the omnivorous diet of Black Pacu includes nuts, grains, insects, snails, decaying plants and the largest part of their diet, fruits and seeds. These fish are important to the seed dispersal for plants in their habitat.​

 

Black Pacu can live for over 40 years and grow 3.5 feet long. These fast-growing fish are sometimes sold at pet stores when they’re only a few inches long!​

 

These Pacu are used by humans as a source of food. They are a popular aquaculture fish because they are resistant to disease.​

Pacu are related to piranha, but they have very different teeth! Their teeth resemble human molars and are used for grinding hard foods like snails, nuts and fruit.​

NEAR THREATENED (NT):
Likely to become endangered in the near future.