Red and Black Sailfin Pacu (Tometes siderocarajensis) 3″

Description

A recently described species from the Tocantins-Araguaia drainage in Eastern Brazil, the Red and Black Sailfin Pacu (Tometessiderocarajensis) inhabits rapids and fast-moving waters in the wild. A recent offering in the aquarium hobby, this large growing relative of the more well-known silver dollars and pacu develops incredible coloration, with adults exhibiting deep black throughout most of the body and fins interspersed with vivid red splotches along the body that intensify when the fish are in breeding condition. Like most of their relatives, this species is an omnivore which feeds on a substantial amount of fruits, nuts, and plant/vegetable matter in the wild and should be offered a varied diet for optimal growth and coloration. While the Red and Black Sailfin Pacu does not grow to the enormous size reached by other Pacu species, it is still a large and powerful swimmer as an adult and should be kept in an appropriately large aquarium with lots of open space and moderate to strong current.