Species
Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomusAlso known as Pirapitinga, Red-bellied Piaractus
Young red-bellied pacus mimic aggressive red-bellied piranhas with bright crimson chests to deter predators, but shift toward duller slate tones as they mature. Equipped with remarkably human-like molariform teeth, adults roam flooded Amazonian and Orinoco forests crunching hard-shelled palm nuts and fallen fruits. Their feeding habits make them vital seed dispersers, transporting viable seeds across vast river networks during seasonal flood cycles.
FreshwaterSeed DisperserMigratory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPalm Fruits, Tree Seeds, Aquatic Snails
Predators
- Black Caiman
- Giant Otter
- Amazon River Dolphin
ThreatsOverfishing, dam construction, and loss of riparian forests
HabitatsTropical river systems, flooded riverine forests, and lakes
Life span15–25 years
Classification
- FamilySerrasalmidae
- SpeciesPiaractus brachypomus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Powerful crushing teeth can deliver a severe bite if handled carelessly; keep hands clear.
- Why it is dangerous
- Massive jaw musculature and flattened molar-like teeth can easily crush fingers when the fish thrashes in defense.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognize adults by their disc-shaped bodies, blunt snouts, and square, human-like chewing teeth rather than pointed piranha blades.
- What to do
- Keep hands well away from the jaws and support the body using wet grips or a soft landing net.
Responsible observation
- Hook Removal: Use sturdy pliers to unhook landed fish rather than reaching inside the mouth.
- Aquarium Consideration: Avoid purchasing juveniles for home tanks, as they rapidly outgrow domestic aquaria.
Mimic Model (c) Marco Verch, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator (c) Matheus Oliveira, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Family (c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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