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💧 Freshwater Near Threatened 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Pacu

Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887
Max Length
50 cm
Max Weight
20.0 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
38.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Adults invade the flooded forests to feed on nuts and seeds which fall from trees . Reaches around 50.0 cm SL .

Scientific Name
Piaractus mesopotamicus
Authority
Holmberg, 1887
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
NT
Max Length
50 cm
Max Weight
20 kg
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
38.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dark grey to silver dorsally and laterally and white ventrally with a yellow breast.: short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pacu is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Pacu is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Assuming standard characid reproduction. Replace ASAP.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Subtropical; 15°S - 38°S, 66°W - 42°W South America: Paraguay-Paraná River basin.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
2
Food Items

nuts and seeds which fall from trees (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02455 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
50cm
Max Weight
20,000g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Near Threatened
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
38.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Holmberg, 1887

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.7 g
Omega-3 (total) 522 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Pacu has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

👥 Community & Contribute

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