Red Pacu

🔥 Red Pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)

Add an impressive giant to your aquarium with the powerful and distinctive Red Pacu. Famous for its silver-grey body, deep profile, and vibrant reddish-orange belly and fins, this South American species is often mistaken for a piranha but is actually a peaceful omnivore.

Fast-growing, intelligent, and full of personality, the Red Pacu is best suited to experienced fishkeepers with access to very large aquariums or indoor pond systems.

🌿 Why Choose Red Pacu?

🔴 Striking red-orange belly and fins
🐟 Impressive deep-bodied South American species
🧠 Intelligent and interactive fish
🌿 Primarily omnivorous with a varied diet
⭐ A true giant and centrepiece fish

Red Pacu are active swimmers that quickly learn to recognise their keepers and often display curious, engaging behaviour.

📏 Care Requirements

🧬 Scientific Name: Piaractus brachypomus
📛 Common Name: Red Pacu
🏠 Tank Size: 1,000L+ recommended for adults
📏 Adult Size: 60–90 cm+
🌡️ Temperature: 24–30°C
⚗️ pH Range: 6.0–7.5
🧘 Temperament: Generally peaceful
🍽️ Diet: Fruits, vegetables, pellets, nuts, aquatic plants, and occasional protein-rich foods
👥 Group Size: Single specimens or groups in extremely large systems

Red Pacu require exceptional filtration, strong water quality management, and vast swimming space due to their rapid growth and adult size.

🐠 Compatibility

Can be kept with other large, peaceful South American species such as silver dollars, larger catfish, arowanas, and certain large cichlids in appropriately sized aquariums.

Avoid housing with very small fish, which may be accidentally consumed, and aggressive species that may harass them.

⚠️ Important Notes

Red Pacu are often sold as juveniles but grow extremely quickly and become one of the largest fish commonly available in the aquarium trade. Prospective owners should carefully consider their long-term housing requirements before purchase.

Despite their resemblance to piranhas, Red Pacu are primarily herbivorous and are generally peaceful fish when provided with adequate space and nutrition.

The Red Pacu is an outstanding choice for UK aquarists with very large aquariums who are looking for an intelligent, impressive, and truly unforgettable freshwater giant.