Pacu Problems

[memwha428]

We got a red bellied Pacu when he was about 2" long about 18 months ago. We've been expanding tank sizes as he keeps growing and has recently moved into a 90 gallon tank with a Fluval 403 filter. He is now about 18" long. I've read some frightening literature that identifies our pet as a tank buster with the potential to reach 4 feet, and other conflicting sources say 24" max. Just how large is our intelligent fish likely to get? Am worried about having to find him a home in a public aquarium.

Problem #2. When the tank was first set up it stabilized nicely, and for the first 2 months needed cleaning as the man in our local acquarium supply had advised: about once a month. Now, though, I'm cleaning it every week. Is this normal? Is the fish or tank too big for that size filter?

 

[N8DOGG]

Yes and yes
Your pacu will get HUGE. A red belly won't get as large as a black pacu but for a comparison Mojo has a black pacu and its 30lbs+ over 3feet. So its safe to say that the red bely pacu will get AT LEAST 2 feet. Does he live in the tank by himself? Most people do weekly water changes(this includes cleaning the gravel) and with a large fish even more of them are required.

 

[memwha428]

no, he's in the 90 gallon with 5 cory catfish, 2 striped danios, and 1 blind cavefish, totalling approximately 9" in length. how big is the tank mojo has the black pacu in??

does anyone know of aquariums large enough to take a full grown pacu? my house won't hold anything larger than what i have now.

 

[StreetCypher]

how big is the tank mojo has the black pacu in??

Its in a pond... I'm not sure of the size though. I remember seeing pics of his pacu. Its got huge teeth, could probably take an arm off.

I think all public aquariums could house a pacu, its a question of whether of not they'll take it.

 

[cdawson]

Its in a pond... I'm not sure of the size though. I remember seeing pics of his pacu. Its got huge teeth, could probably take an arm off.

I think all public aquariums could house a pacu, its a question of whether of not they'll take it.

Mojo's pond is 1500 gallons I believe. Keeping a pacu unless you can give it at least 300 gallons is NOT a good idea. They don't call them tankbusters for nothing.

 

[N8DOGG]

The pond is closer to 1900 gallons!!!!

Goto www.aquamojo.com to see it and his pacu.

 

[cloud]

There's a Pacu tank at the london aquarium and it's the largest freshwater tank in the whole place as those puppies are biiiiig! would'nt worry about them taking your arm of though. they're peacefull veggies. I'd love to keep them myself, but I would'nt unless i could find them at least a 400/500gal plus tank with high walls as they prefer to shoal and ideally you'd need more than one.

I hate to say it, but for the sake if the fish, i'd start phoning around either the public aquariums in your area, or if you live in a part of the world that has the right tempurature for keeping it outside, maybe look into re-housing it in a pond.

 

[N8DOGG]

cloud if you can get some pictures!!!!

 

[cloud]

will do next time i go.

 

[memwha428]

thank you all so much for your replies.........very helpful and appreciated, although I regret the bad news that i'll have to start searching for a home for my beloved pacu. As for being vegetarians........yes, the red bellied IS supposed to be vegetarian, however, mine definately prefers protein!!
He doesn't eat other tankmates though, and loves to be "petted" and played with. If he was in a pond or pool I wouldn't hesitate to swim with him.....even with those teeth!

I checked out mojo's website, and couldn't find pics of the pond, but can't do an indoor pond of any size, and living in northeastern US, an outside pond is not an option.