Vegetarian Piranhas

Piranhas in Georgia? Well, yes, but not the man-eating type. Pacu are frugivore (fruit and seed eating) members of the piranha family, and relatives of the infamous and dangerous red piranha; they are large fish that can grow to a length of three feet, but are not typically aggressive. Native to South America, where they are a prized catch due to their mild, sweet taste, pacu have been found in at least 25 states in the U.S., including Georgia. A number of pacu are caught from our waters each year. Georgia Fisheries officials speculate that the considerable full-grown size of pacu is the most likely cause for their presence in our local waters. Pacu are sold here legally as aquarium fish, and aquarium owners may be releasing the fish when they outgrow their tanks. Pacu sightings peak in the summer, but they can survive and populate over the winter in mild climates such as this. As with any exotic species, pacu pose a threat to the local ecosystem, where they compete with native species for resources and can potentially introduce new diseases. Pacu can live for up to 35 years, which may be another contributing factor to their release from aquariums. Unwanted aquarium pacu can be disposed of properly by a veterinarian or aquarium retailer. Pacu sightings and catches should be reported to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.