Colossoma macropomum
Pacu brown inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru in natural conditions. The fish stay in shallow, slow-current, mainstream rivers and, during the rainy seasons, swim away to flooded forests. Juveniles, during their first months of life, stay in floodplains where food is plentiful and predators are scarce.
Sexual differences in Colossoma macropomum are poorly expressed. During the spawning period, males are more brightly coloured. The females have a more rounded abdomen. The fish have square teeth that are very similar to human teeth - they are very strong and can easily split even nuts. In the wild, the fish can reach a length of about 1 m and a weight of 20 kg, although in an aquarium they usually do not exceed 50 cm.
Due to their large size, these fish require a huge aquarium with a capacity of at least 2500 liters per two fish. It is advisable to keep the fish in a group of at least six. Young fish can be reared in standard aquariums, but with balanced nutrition, juveniles will grow quickly and will soon require a larger aquarium. Given that these fish are herbivores, the aquarium should not contain live plants, they can be replaced with artificial counterparts. Large snags and stones can be placed at the bottom.
It is possible to keep brown pacu in a common aquarium with other large fish species. All fish that can fit into the piranha's mouth will certainly be eaten. Also, should not be kept together sedentary fish, which Colossoma macropomum will be a constant nuisance.
Water parameters: temperature 22-28° C, hardness dH 1-15°, pH 4,8-6,8. Requires highly efficient filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ½ aquarium water with fresh. Colossoma macropomum rarely gets sick if the water quality is maintained at an appropriate level.
Colossoma macropomum are omnivorous fish. Their powerful jaws can easily dispose of the toughest vegetables. They are herbivorous piranhas, although their diet includes meat products. The fish are fed green vegetables, strawberries, tomatoes, bananas, peas, cabbage. They are also given fish fillets, beef heart, krill, shrimp, octopus, beef and bloodworm. Feed the fish once or twice a day.
Reproduction
Colossoma macropomum difficult to breed in aquariums, but cases of their successful breeding in home aquariums are known. The fish are mainly bred in breeding nurseries in South America and various countries in the Far East. Spawning is known to be stimulated by using hormonal preparations.
