by Mr. Aquarist

Created on: February 05, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Pacu are some of the most interesting fish that you may ever care for. They can sometimes be demanding both in resources and attention. In their native waters of South America where their piranah cousins find abode, they can attain sizes of up to seven feet. Thus, the most difficult task when caring for these lovely animals is finding a home that is large enough. In the end, these animals will require at least 125 gallons of water to swim freely and cannot be easily stocked together. Though they are a schooling species, they may become territorial once they are much larger adults competing for space and resources.

A pacu diet may consist of a wide variety of vegetables and meat. Like their half-siblings, the silver dollar, they are vigorous plant eaters and may quickly consume celery, lettuce or your aquatic plants. They also enjoy good shrimp, feeder goldfish or other smaller fish. Becuse they hail from the soft waters of the Amazon, you will need to keep the water acidic at a pH below 6.5. Dosages of aquarium salt at a tablespoon per 10 gallons will keep them healthy by replacing lost electrolytes. Black water, which is tea-colored and contains tannins, may also be added to the water per instructions. Black water gives the water a tea color that reduces the light in the aquarium and aids in stress management for the fish.

Pacu are also easily disturbed. Fast movements around the tank can easily cause injury especially in smaller tanks. Avoid keeping a pacu tank in a hallway or room where direct sunlight might strike the glass. Pacu are also known for jumping and can easily land on the floor at your feet without proper concern. Though difficult to find in the average fish department of your local pet store, pacu can be found being traded on the hobbyist to hobbyist leve. The fish reach such great sizes and become difficult to care for by their adult life that no pet store will sell them. Often, because they are so difficult to provide for, they are abandoned at independent fish stores who then find them difficult to sell.

Pacu may be kept in a school of six or more until it becomes difficult to properly house each individual. They work best in a non-planted aquarium with similar-sized, non-aggressive cichlids. One pacu can easily come to dominate a large aquarium and are usually the only fish on display. For the average hobbyist, pacu probably aren't the best choice-a school of large silver dollars might better suit your needs.

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