Fish Species Related to Piranha Caught in Texas Lake

An invasive fish species related to the piranha was caught in a Texas lake, wildlife officials said.

A Pacu, a freshwater fish native to South America, was caught August 25th at the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, in Bosque County according to a Facebook post from the Lake Meredith Aquatic & Wildlife Museum.

These vegetarian fish can grow up to three and a half feet long and weigh up to 88 pounds, quickly outgrowing home aquariums, according to officials. Officials said they believe someone who previously owned the fish as a pet released it into the lake. Its official weight and length has not yet been announced.

Unlike the jagged, sharp teeth of their piranha relatives, Pacu “have teeth that look similar to human teeth,” officials said.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said in 2012 a nearly 8-pound Pacu was caught in the Concho River, and in 2006, a Red-Bellied Pacu was caught in the San Marcos River.

Officials warned that releasing non-native species is illegal and harmful to native fish.

The Lake Meredith Aquatic & Wildlife Museum currently has the fish on display, but according to a Facebook post, “It is unknown how long this Pacu fish will be calling our Museum home. We do know that an official weight and length will be verified at a later date.”