Fisherman Displays Captured Pacu Fish in Bolivia

In a surprising turn of events, a fish species known as Pacu, famous for its human-like teeth, was recently found off the coast of Denmark. The discovery has sparked fears of "testicle-eating fish" in Scandinavian waters.

The Pacu, a freshwater fish native to South America, was captured on August 4 in the strait of Oresund by fisherman Einar Lindgreen. Contrary to popular belief, Lars Skou Olsen, curator of Copenhagen's Blue Planet Aquarium, believes the rumors about Pacu's preference for private parts are overblown.

Pacus primarily eat vegetables and can crack nuts with their powerful jaws. They are not a threat to swimmers as they fear humans and will try to escape. When young, Pacus look like piranhas, with a red belly and a silver back.

The Pacu found in Denmark is believed to have originated from a home aquarium that someone released during a holiday. When bought, pacus are typically sold in groups of eight to ten. In their aquarium, pacus have lived for nearly 20 years and can grow very big when old, around 20 kilos (44 pounds).

The Blue Planet Aquarium in Copenhagen has six to eight pacus, which grow to around 20 kilos (44 pounds) and a meter (3 feet) long in about five to six years. Pacus make good pets, but they grow too large for home aquariums.

Peter Rask Møller, a fish expert at Denmark's University of Copenhagen, stated that the warning about Pacus was intended as a humorous precaution. The sale of poison fish is banned in Denmark, but Pacus are legal to sell. However, there are no specific regulations regarding the release of aquarium fish into the wild.

It's worth noting that Pacus and piranhas are related, and young pacus hide among schools of piranhas for protection. The Pacu found was around 8 inches (20 centimeters) long, suggesting it was young and approximately a year old.

Despite the initial alarm, the discovery of the Pacu in Danish waters provides a fascinating insight into the diverse aquatic life that can be found in our oceans. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of the creatures we keep as pets and the potential impact their release can have on the ecosystem.