Red Belly Pacu

Red Belly Pacu for Sale: Buy Live Pacu Fish Online

This Red Belly Pacu for sale is a peaceful relative of the piranha that grows into a true giant. Order a juvenile Piaractus brachypomus and you get an active, silver fish of about 1″ with the red-orange throat and belly that gives it its name. It is a popular freshwater fish for monster-fish keepers, but please plan ahead: a pacu can reach 36″ and needs a very large tank or heated pond for life.

Check local laws first: some US states restrict or ban the sale and ownership of pacu and their relatives. Please confirm your state and local rules before you buy, and never release a pacu into the wild.

Red Belly Pacu Varieties and Sizes

• Red Belly Pacu, Juvenile (about 1″): one natural form, shipped young so it can adapt to your system.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Piaractus brachypomus
• Adult size: up to 36″
• Minimum tank: 300+ gallons or a pond
• Temperament: peaceful but powerful
• Care level: moderate, needs a very large system
• Water parameters: 72-82°F, pH 6.5-7.5
• Diet: omnivore leaning herbivore; large pellets, fruits, nuts, vegetables and occasional shrimp

Care and Tank Setup

Native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, the Red Belly Pacu grows fast and eats a lot. A juvenile can start in a smaller tank, but you will need to upgrade quickly, and adults are best in 300 gallons or more, or a large heated indoor pond. Use oversized filtration, a bare or sand bottom and only heavy, secured decor. Pacu are strong and can be skittish, so a tight, sturdy lid is essential. They have square, human-like teeth used for cracking nuts and seeds. Feed large pellets as a staple with fruits, vegetables and occasional protein, and keep up with large weekly water changes.

Tank Mates

Pacu are peaceful toward fish too big to swallow. Companions for a giant system include the Silver Arowana, the Tiger Shovelnose Catfish and the Red Tail Catfish, all fish that need equally huge tanks. If your space is limited, its smaller relative, our new Silver Dollar Fish, is a better choice. Fans of the family can also look at the new Red Belly Piranha, which should be kept in its own species tank.

Why Buy Your Red Belly Pacu From Aquarium Live Fish Store

Buy your Red Belly Pacu online from Aquarium Live Fish Store and get a healthy, acclimated fish that is carefully packed and shipped to your door, ready for a keeper with the space to raise it.

Browse more big fish in our arowana collection or shop all freshwater fish.