Black Pacu

Black Pacu (Colossoma macropomum) are widely known as vegetarian piranha. They can grow up to 36 inches and weigh over 29kg, in a rounded disc shape. They have strong jaws and teeth but they aren’t actually aggressive, making them quite peaceful animals.

The Black Pacu feeds mostly on plant matter, however they are opportunist eaters so will also eat invertebrates and small fish too.

These solitary animals are from South America, living in the main river channels such as the Amazon basin, as well as moving into flooded forests during the rainy season where the water is slow moving, vegetation is plentiful and predators are scarce. The flooded forests are also where they lay their eggs, giving their young the safest possible start in life.