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Red Pacu

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Do you want to avoid the same old fish species in your home aquarium or pet store? Are you searching for an exceptional and visually appealing addition to your collection? Have you ever heard of the red pacu?

This giant freshwater fish is native to the rivers and floodplains of South America.

It has become a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.

It is known by several names, including Red Bellied Pacu and Red Belly Pacu.

It is a stunning freshwater fish with a deep reddish-orange belly that will stand out in any tank.

But there’s more to these fish than their striking appearance. Let’s dive deeper into the world of red pacu and discover what makes them so fascinating.

What is a Red Pacu?

frozen red pacu

The red pacu, or red-bellied or red-belly pacu fish, is a large herbivorous fish species.

It is native to South America’s Amazon Basin and the Orinoco River Basin.

It belongs to the family Serrasalmidae. This family includes well-known species, such as the piranha, pacu, and tambaqui.

Origin and Distribution of Red Pacu

South America is the natural habitat of red pacu fish.

They inhabit the Amazon and Orinoco River basins. Red pacu fish have a preference for slow-moving and vegetated waters. These types of habitats are often found in flooded forests.

It is common to find them in the Rio Negro, which is a significant tributary of the Amazon River.

These fish have become popular in aquariums. Other parts of the world have seen the introduction of red pacu fish. They are now categorized as an invasive species in the United States.

Interesting Facts about Red Pacu

  • Red pacu is sometimes referred to as “vegetarian piranhas”. This is due to their herbivorous diet.
  • They can grow up to 61cm (24 inches) in length and weigh over 50 pounds.
  • The Red Belly Pacu may growquickly, sometimes reaching 12 inches in less than a year!
  • Red Belly Pacu can grow as large as 30 inches in their natural habitat.
  • The red pacu’s teeth are often compared to human molars, and they use them to grind up vegetation and nuts.
  • They feed on fruits, nuts, insects, and small fish in the wild.
  • Their powerful jaws can exert a force of up to 50 pounds.

Appearance and Behavior

Physical Appearance of Red Pacu

The red pacu has a distinctive appearance. They have a reddish-orange belly that fades to a silvery color on the sides and back.

Their large scales and humped back give them a muscular and robust appearance.

Their fins are large and elongated, with a forked caudal fin.

Their body is oblong with a pointed head and small eyes when viewed from the side.

Red pacu also has mighty jaws with human-like molars that it uses to crush nuts and seeds.

Male and female Red Belly Pacu are almost the same size and appearance.

The only way to differentiate them is by looking at their belly shape.

Females have a more rounded belly than males.

Juvenile Red Belly Pacu have brighter colors on their bodies. But, as they mature, their coloration becomes more subdued, and their red bellies fade.

The Behavior of Red Pacu fish

Red pacus are generally peaceful fish. They can coexist with other species in a community aquarium.

Yet, they can be aggressive toward smaller fish and may even eat them.

They are notorious for loving aquatic plants and can decimate a planted tank if not managed.

Red pacus are also known to jump, so providing a secure lid for their tank is essential.

Red Belly Pacu vs. Red Bellied Piranha

Red-bellied piranhas and red belly pacus are two species of fish that are often confused due to their similar names and appearance. But they have fundamental differences.

Red-bellied piranhas are meat-eaters with sharp teeth, while red belly pacus are herbivores with flat teeth used to grind vegetation.

Redbelly pacus can grow much more significantly than red-bellied piranhas and have a more docile behavior, making them suitable for community aquariums. Despite the name “vegetarian piranhas,” red belly pacus are not a type of piranha.

Tank Requirements

The tank requirements for red pacu are demanding. This is because of their large size and active nature. They need a lot of space to swim and feel comfortable.

An adult red belly pacu requires a tank size of at least 250 gallons (940 liters).

It is also essential to have a filtration system that can handle the waste.

The recommended water temperature range for red belly pacu is between 75-82°F (24-27°C), with a pH range of 6.5-7.5. To create a natural river-like environment, the tank should have a strong water flow and be well-aerated. 

Providing hiding places, substrate, and vegetation will reduce stress levels.

Décor isn’t necessary for adult fish, but you can add a few water-worn boulders and large pieces of driftwood or branches.

A large and efficient biological filter is crucial; an example is the sump-type arrangement.

Suitable Tank Mates for Red Belly Pacu Fish

Keep red pacus with other large fish that can tolerate their occasional aggressive behavior.

Suitable tank mates include other pacus, large cichlids, and giant catfish species.

You can also keep a Common Pleco with them, but you would need at least a 350-gallon tank (for adults). Arowanas are sometimes marked with pacus, but they need a vast tank. Avoid small fish, as pacus may see them as potential prey.

Provide hiding places and open swimming space in the tank. You can use artificial plants for hiding places, as pacus may eat live plants.

Water Quality for Red pacu fish

Red pacus need clean, well-oxygenated water to thrive. Perform regular water changes to keep the tank water clean and free of harmful toxins.

To ensure the water quality remains high, it is recommended to replace the tank water at least once every week.

The ideal water temperature for red pacus is between 24°C and 27°C (75°F and 80°F), and the pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5.

Like any aquarium, the water should be free of harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and nitrites.

A strong water flow is also essential to maintain oxygenation in the tank. 

The Ideal diet for Red Pacu

Red pacus are herbivores. They must have a varied diet that includes fresh vegetables and herbivore pellets.

In the wild, they eat various foods, including fruits, nuts, seeds, insects, and small fish.

In captivity, you should supplement their diet with fresh vegetables, such as peas, spinach, and pellet food.

It’s essential to provide a varied diet to ensure the fish receive all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Red pacus have mighty jaws and teeth, so it’s essential to provide them with hard vegetables like carrots or peas to help keep their teeth trimmed.

Feeding and Nutrition

Feed red pacus once a day. The amount of food given should depend on the fish’s size and the tank’s size.

Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality, obesity, and other health problems.

Also, you can train red pacus to eat from the water’s surface, making feeding easier. 

Breeding

The Red Belly Pacu requires ample space to breed. This makes it a challenging feat in an aquarium setting.

Breeding usually occurs in large ponds where the fish scatter their eggs.

The female lays 400,000 eggs in the water, and the male fertilizes them.

A significant issue with breeding this species is that they tend to eat their eggs.

In South America and some parts of Asia, people breed Red Belly Pacu for consumption.

These breeders use a pituitary extract to induce breeding in large hatchery ponds.

Unless you plan to breed these fish for sale, the hassle and expense of producing them may not be worthwhile.

Health and Diseases

To keep red pacu healthy, it’s essential to prevent and treat common diseases like ich, fin rot, and swim bladder disease. 

Ich causes small white spots. You can treat it with medication or increased tank temperature (86°F for a few days). 

Bacteria cause fin rot. You can prevent it with good water quality and treat it with medication.

You can also add aquarium salt to the tank. 

Swim bladder disease, caused by various factors (bacterial infections, overfeeding, or poor water quality), affects buoyancy.

You can treat it by addressing the underlying cause. Adjusting water temperature or fasting the fish helps too. 

Regular water changes, changing about 25% of the water weekly, are essential to remove waste and maintain good water quality.

Conclusion

The red pacu is a captivating fish that is popular among aquarium enthusiasts.

Its striking red belly and large size make it an impressive species to keep in a home aquarium or display in a public setting. 

As a wholesaler or retailer, the red pacu presents a unique opportunity to offer customers a unique and exotic species. Their vegetarian diet and suitability for larger tanks make them a great addition to any fish collection.

Their growing popularity also presents a potential growth area for businesses in the industry.

The red pacu is a species worth considering for anyone looking for a standout addition to their aquatic life collection.

frozen red pacu
frozen red pacu
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John, the founder of Yanghua Aquatic Products, is a fish lover familiar with frozen fish processing technology. He deeply understands the fish market and has successfully helped clients expand their fish business.

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