posted 08-19-2002 10:17 AM           

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as i was reading my local sunday paper, i was shocked to learn a pacu was caught by a fisherman. i have seen these fish at the zoo, but would like to know (the truth), whether these fish can pose a threat to people or animals in the lake. i have grown up swimmin in this lake. would these fish survive the winter? any ideas or info would be appreciated. the local paper seemed to sugarcoat the issue, and i would like to hear the truth about these fish and what could happen if these fish survive a winter and breed in the lake.my e-mail is loc47@yahoo.com if you would rather use it than post. thank you very much

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posted 08-31-2002 10:03 PM           

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Pacus are realted to piranahs. They get HUGE. The reg kind have no teeth. Teh red bellied kind have teeth liek piranah and are more aggressive. I do not think they would attatck humans but they will eat native species. Even piranah will not attatch humans unless they are bleeding or have inflicted, crippled swimming styles.

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Member

Posts: 23
From:central texas
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-22-2002 03:19 PM            

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pacus by nature are vegetarian fish. i have 2 both of which are 18 inches. they are not aggresive towards humans and will eat live fish only if they were raised on them. they are cousin to piranha but don't have teeth like them. pacu's teeth are flat on top not sharp like piranha

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Posts: 96
From:El Paso, Texas
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 10-24-2002 03:11 AM         

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Pacu or any tropical fish will survive in a lake until the air temperature reaches 32 degrees, then they'll die. Any fish will eat a smaller fish to survive regardless of how they were raised. Local Posted byities have problems with this because a pacu can affect the local populations of fish.

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