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How fast do these guys grow?

depends on your tank size but normally they grow FAST

These fish grow incrediblely fast and will eat almost anything. I use to have 2 in my 125 gal. and they went from about 2 inches to well over a foot long in probably around 8 months. To be truthful these guys really got even to large for my 125, so I wouldn't recommend getting one unless you have a least a 200 gallon tank. You will also not be able to keep a lot of decorations and other type stuff in the tank as these guys get so huge that they will destoy everything in your tank if they become starduled or scared. l]Last edited by Cichlid Keeper at 09-May-2005 19:27

Last edited by Cichlid Keeper at 09-May-2005 19:34

Last edited by Cichlid Keeper at 09-May-2005 19:36

I actually recommend way more than two hundred gallons for pacus. Thing is, they're schooling fish. They are easily startled when kept in small numbers, and a startled pacu is a force to be reckoned with. They can easily take out a tank lid and hop right out of the tank; or they can smash into tank glass with enough force to shatter it. The bigger they are, the better they are at doing these things. So, it’s best that they be kept in schools of at least five or six, to help them feel more secure in their home.

They also grow very large, in the neighborhood of three feet. In addition, they’re pretty active swimmers. You’re going to need a really big enclosure for a school of active three-foot fish, and tanks don’t cut it in most cases. Indoor ponds or huge tanks are needed, which most aquarists cannot supply.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

*Sight* I saw 3 in a 10 gallon at the chain store

They are not schooling fish.

Thanks guys, they dont get as big as the black pacu right?

"They are not schooling fish."

Okay, that's true to a point. Most sources claim that pacus school or shoal when young; probably for safety in numbers. Adult specimens do tend to be loners, but adult pacu aren't always available to the prospective buyer. It is best to buy young pacu in groups, though they can be kept singly when older.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Thanks guys, they dont get as big as the black pacu right?

Depends on who you ask. They guys here will say they do, but many internet sites say they grow to 15 inches. I'd make sure to ask somebody who keeps them and has actually seen them grow to an adult size.

Last edited by djtj at 10-May-2005 14:42

When two adults are introduced to one another, bullying usually ensues.

Adult Pacus are food fishes in their native waters. A single Pacu can keep a family of four fed for some time.

I remember Shini mentioning how big Pacus can grow to be - he said take a look at your typical 55 (US) gallon aquarium. Then imagine a fish that is too big to physically fit in that space, regardless of water content. That's a Pacu.

Trouble is, they're solid, muscular fishes as well, and when they spook, they have a habit of charging at the glass. Which is catastrophic if the glass isn't reinforced. A big Pacu can literally burst a tank in a panic. Which is why public aquaria usually keep them in heavily reinforced acrylic tanks.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I've seen full sized specimens. Zoos and public aquariums should be the only ones that can get them. I wouldn't keep one in anything less than a 10,000g pond.

The one they have at the baltimore aquarium is huge.

Johnny, if you can get a pic of the huge Baltimore Aquarium Pacu and post it, we can hopefully tickle one of the mods into making it available out of forum to be linked to somehow, so that the next time we get the inevitable 'Can I keep a Pacu in my aquarium' question, we can all point to the photo and say "Hmm, got room for one of these?"

Plus, I want to see this huge critter. Especially if you can get something else in the shot that gives an idea of scale.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Ok ill scan one and post it on here for you.