Pacu

Length Category:  Small (<40 cm)

Trophic Level:  Omnivores

Migratory Pattern:  Medium Distance (100-1,000 km)

Spawning Period:  Rising

Export Market:  Regional (in Amazon)

Market Status:  Second class

Catch Distribution:

Pacu potential yield was estimated to be approximately 7,300 tons. The Central Amazon (75%) is the most important region, followed by the Peruvian Amazon (13%).

Natural History Notes:

The pacu group of commercial fishes includes species of Mylossoma, Myleus and Metynnis. Mylossoma duriventre and Mylossoma aureus are the most important commercial species. Pacus are omnivorous, with a preference for fruits and seeds. Mylossoma species live in whitewater and clearwater rivers but are usually missing from blackwater rivers where the other pacu genera are abundant. Mylossoma species are also migratory and form large schools in whitewater and clearwater rivers.