
Also known as:
Priapitinga
silver dollar
Common Group Name:
Characins Piranhas Tetras
Family Name:
Characiformes
Genus Name:
Piaractus
Species Name:
Piaractus brachypomus
Dispatch Method:
The eating qualities of these fish are greatly improved if they are killed humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.
Fish Description:
- Pacu are deep bodied species that resemble the closely related Piranhas in body shape. They grow to a much larger size, but lack the sharp triangular teeth of the piranhas.
- The various species of pacu are omnivorous fish with sturdy molar-like teeth they use to feed on fruit, invertebrates or smaller fishes
Fish Distribution:
- Various species of pacu are endemic to the Amazon River Basins as well as other river systems throughout South America.
Fish Size Common Length:
Common between 15-30 cm, maximum size of some species exceeds 80 cm and 20 kg.