Jeremy Wade on Pacu Found in Illinois Lake

 

A pacu fish, native to the Amazon River Basin, was caught last month in Illinois' Lake Lou Yaeger by a local fisherman. This fish has strong human-like teeth and is closely related to the piranha. While the fish doesn't pose a real threat to humans, in its native home it's known as the "ball cutter" after two fishermen died from wounds sustained from the toothy fish.

Jeremy Wade, host of Animal Planet’s River Monsters, has some first-hand experience dealing with the pacu.

Wade was also able to share a few comments with us on the nature of the pacu fish, in light of the recent reports out of Illinois.

[Watch More River Monsters Video!]

"Pacu are normally vegetarian, but can be carnivorous.  They are also very hardy fish, good at surviving outside their native Amazon, as long as the water isn't too cold.  In Papua New Guinea, they have bitten people; however, this was following a stocking of thousands of fish, into a situation with very few native species and a shortage of their preferred type of food (seeds and nuts).  The fish in the reports are almost certainly pet fish that outgrew their tanks.  In order to breed, there would need to be many more of them in the water.  While it would not be true to say there is no risk of being bitten by a pacu in the US, the chances would be very small.  Driving to and from the lake would be many times more dangerous."

Learn more about the pacu and its eating habits, and check out photos of Wade up close and personal with a red-bellied pacu.

---

Katie Sharp is a Digital Media Intern at Animal Planet. She would much rather pet a baby hedgehog than a saltwater crocodile.

Comments

[press release writing service]

we have the most biggest pacu in Argentina!

[wholesale nfl jerseys]

On one of the walls was a painting from a popular North Korean cartoon series showing a cute forest animal hunched behind a machine gun blasting away at his enemies.

[Sonia]

A red bellied pacu was caught at Belton Lake (Bell County, Texas) by Joshua Tree on September 20, 1992. It was less than a pound and 9". Check out the water body record at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/action/waterecords.php?WB_code=0061. I fished this lake when I was a kid back in the 70's ... very popular lake.

[jeffrey williams]

I'm a amateur fisherman living in Chicago. I caught this fish at a local lagoon in a park. Caught it by accident with a worm. Not native to this park, assuming someone through it in. It was a interesting catch, always love to get a new challenge.

[Jamie McD]

We caught a Pacu, around 2lbs, 3 years ago, in a 55 acre lake in South Georgia. The fish is now on display on my 7 year old sons wall.

[MrFisho]

We have a few lakes here in VICTORIA AUSTRALIA where exotic fish can surive in select lakes which are used to cool power stations.

Purely because the temperature of the water is heated by cooling process. Thankfully the temp of water else where is too cold for these species. We have enough introduced pest species to contend with including the destructive European carp which i've caught at size to rival those caught in the UK!

[Terry Ginis]

This is not unusual. Every year i hear stories about fish such as pacu that end up in local lakes and rivers. This is due to irresponsible owner who, when the fish grow too big for their tank,dumps them into the nearest water system. Be a responsible owner-any aquarium or zoo would be happy to take them off you're hands.

[Samantha s.]

Several years ago a red Pacu was caught here in NM. People thought it was a mutant fish at first because it was caught in a lake that's used to cool the power plant. It didn't make national news though.

[Michelle Harris]

I used to live on Bangs Lake in Illinois and a couple of pirahana were caught in the lake a few years ago. I suspect they were pets or someone playing a prank..much like the alligators found in the Chicago River last year.

[Maxi]

we have the most biggest pacu in Argentina!

[Silverhaired1]

We've had numerous Pacu caught in our urban lakes and reservoirs around Phoenix, AZ....5lbs.and 18" is the AZ 'state record'....

[Dennis]

We have Pacu in a few California lakes as well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YYLr1aisX0

[Justin Johnson]

This is why people who buy exotic fish, (I am included) must know what they are expecting and how big the fish will get so they can accommodate them. Never Never Never Never Never Never Never Never Never Never Never Never, release any pet that is not native into the wild, you will screw the whole ecosystem! They need to make it a felony, and several years in prison for doing so. Maybe then it would stop, or slow down. The sad thing is, it only takes a small population to cause a big problem.

[Inka]

So, stay off the Illinois Lake.