Piaractus brachypomusRed-bellied Pacu
authority not recorded
Max length
880mm SL35in SL
The red-bellied pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, is a serrasalmid from the Orinoco and Amazon basins in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. Known as the pirapitinga in its native countries, it is one of the largest scaled fishes in the Amazon basin, with wild fish recorded to 88 cm. Juveniles mimic the red-bellied piranha and are sold small as 'vegetarian piranha', and releases by aquarists have left populations in the USA and elsewhere.
