Photo © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Pacu, Black pacu, Black-finned pacu, Giant pacu, Tambaqui, Gamitana |
| Scientific name: | Colossoma macropomum |
| Synonyms: | Piaractus macropomus (not valid) |
| Size: | Up to 3.3 feet (1 metre) in length and very deep bodied! |
| Origin: | Amazon |
| Tank setup: | A huge tank (e.g. 500 gallons/2270 L), even this may be too small for adult pacu. |
| Compatibility: | Usually fairly peaceful for its size, other 'tankbuster' fish can be kept - not
for community tanks! |
| Temperature: | 22-28oC (72-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Fairly soft, around neutral |
| Feeding: | Omnivore, will eat most larger foods, include plenty of vegetable foods. |
| Sexing: | The dorsal fin of the male is more pointed, and the anal fin has a toothed edge. |
| Breeding: | Unlikely in aquaria. |
| Comments: |
This fish is really only suitable for public aquaria, many of which are already well stocked with pacu which have outgrown
their homes, and may be reluctant to accept more. It is therefore not a good idea to purchase this fish unless you can
provide a 1000 gallons (4500 L) plus aquarium for the adult(s).
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