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Red Belly Pacu

23 16:29:54

Question
Hi Karen
I bought a Red Belly Pacu. No one at the pet shop told me that this fish was going to quickly become enormous in size. AFTER the fact, I read and was told by many that this fish could reach 3-4 feet in length and 2 feet tall! I wish they would not sell tropical fish that most people do not have space for, it isn't fair to the fish or the consumer. Anyway right now he is 8 inches long. I own several tanks, 10, 20, 29, 45, 55, 75, 125 and a 210 gallon. The 210 gallon is 98" long and 2 feet wide and 28" high. I was told a 200 gallon is minimum for this fish with no other fish in with him. At 3-4 feet long, even my 210 gallon would not give him the room he needs to freely move about. He would have trouble turning around.

Now my question is, I have a private lake on our ranch that is an acre in size and 75 feet deep. Nothing is in that lake except 2 catfish and a million minnows. Would the Red Belly Pacu adapt to living in this lake if I released him? Temperatures I don't think would be a problem since it doesn't get that cold here. Not sure if tropical fish can live in the wild after being born and raised in captivity.

Answer
Hi Richard,
Unfortunately petstores almost never inform costumers about the fish they sell. Or they come up with the advise of "the fish will grow to the size of the tank" this is completely untrue.

I would be tempted to release the pacu into the lake as long as the fish had no way of getting out into the main water ways and getting into the wild. Pacu are quite hardy and if the water temp didn't get colder than below the upper fifties. But the pacu may die at cooler temps. There is never a guarantee he will survive but all you can do is try. Fish can be surprisingly hardy.

Look at this picture of a pacu in a pond with koi.
http://members.aol.com/drharrylopez/Pond2004/pics2004/100_0354.JPG

Best wishes and best of luck!
Karen~