Red-bellied Pacu
Piaractus brachypomus
What you need to keep a Red-bellied Pacu
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pH
6–7.5
Temperature
24–30 °C
Max size
70 cm
Min tank
1500 L
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Red-bellied Pacu.
Avg. price
R250
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Red-bellied Pacu is often sold as a "vegetarian piranha" due to its close resemblance to the red-bellied piranha, but this gentle giant grows vastly larger and has flat, molar-like teeth designed for crushing seeds and nuts rather than slicing flesh. Native to the Amazon basin, it can grow to over 60 centimetres and exceed 25 kilograms. Despite its peaceful temperament, its enormous adult size makes it one of the most commonly surrendered aquarium fish worldwide.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Red-bellied Pacu healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
A minimum 1500L aquarium suits Red-bellied Pacu. Provide hiding spots and stable, well-filtered water; it suits a community setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6–7.5 and 24–30°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Herbivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Peaceful. Watch it at feeding time and at lights-out to see its real temperament in your tank.
Tankmates
Choose tankmates of similar size and temperament with the same water needs. Avoid fin-nippers and anything large enough to eat it.
Breeding
Red-bellied Pacu is rarely bred in captivity; most SA hobbyists buy from shops and breeders.
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price tracking started 18 Jul 2026 — chart builds as listings are updated
Demand by province
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