Red Belly Pacu Tankmates

[ryno]

I have a 55 gallon aquarium and was wondering, what are some good fish to put with my 2 red belly pacu?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Is a 55 big enough for these? Dont they grow pretty big

 

[fishguy2727]

Not even close to large enough for pacus. They hit a meter long and need massive tanks, something effectively no hobbyist can provide.

 

[ryno]

i had original plans to build a pond for them but just dont have the time for at the moment

 

[alex1319]

You will need atleast a 125 gallon tank.They will grow over a foot in any tank

 

[fishguy2727]

125 will last about three months.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Obviously in the wild these are massive fish, ive seen them in aqauariums and such and i researched a bit more after last post, apparently they do not grow to more than 12" in a tank, saying that I dont think its fair to keep them in one, especially a 55, IMO it would need at least like 250gal, with a pair also its just not feasible

 

[fishguy2727]

This is not true. They will grow to well over a foot in captivity. About ten years ago I got two and put them in a 29 (yes, I know, horrible). They both hit 9" before the water quality killed them. Recently I got two and put them in my 150, in less than six months (more like four) they were a foot each and would have kept going if I hadn't relocated them to the wholesaler, not sure where they ended up. The shop I was running was given two that grew up in a 75 and were 18-20" each. We now have them in a 220, and they are severely stunted (at 20-22"!).

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Well, I did say apparently, thank you for pointing out from your experience, Im glad you shared that with the OP. I think the main point is.. a 55 is not big enough lol

 

[fishguy2727]

It is fine, for a couple weeks.

 

[Wills]

Yeah just to agree with above - they need huge ponds (not tanks) and can push their weight around in smaller tanks.

I have been toying with the idea of a monster tank in my place and it does not work out that expensive as there are a lot of pond materials that you can use - the main expense I found would be the glass and getting it installed. Your still looking at the best part of £800 though and then finding suitable filtration - but again this is going to be pond filtration which is often not that expensive compared to the aquarium equivalents.

Given the costs though, you are essentially building a home for a fish the size of a Labrador as and adult! So its kind of that level of commitment.

If you just like the look of these fish why not find a suitable, responsible home for them and then get some Silver Dollars or in a more specialist set up Piranhas.

Wills