Pacu are often mistaken for piranhas due to their similar appearance, but they
are generally larger and have different teeth.
Pacu are omnivores and feed on a variety of food, including fruit, nuts, seeds,
insects, and small fish. Pacu are sometimes called “vegetarian piranhas” because of their herbivorous
diet.
Pacu are popular game fish and are prized by anglers for their size and fighting
ability.
Pacu can grow up to 1 meter in length and weigh over 25 kilograms.
Pacu have powerful jaws and teeth that are adapted for crushing hard-shelled
food, such as nuts and seeds. They are known for their ability to jump out of the water, especially when hooked by a fisherman.
Pacu are important food fish in South America, where they are farmed for their
meat. Some species of Pacu, such as the red-bellied Pacu, have been introduced to
other parts of the world as game fish – but they can become invasive and pose a
threat to native fish populations.