Fin's Fish Guide
The Ternetz's pacu (Myloplus ternetzi) is a freshwater fish of the family Serrasalmidae that grows up to 23 cm.
Fresh water of northern South America (the Guianas and the Amazon region), in clear, forested rivers and creeks.
Description
Ternetz's pacu is a deep, strongly compressed, disc-shaped characin of the family Serrasalmidae reaching about 23 cm; the group is also called 'silver dollar'. The silvery, round body has a blunt snout with stout cutting teeth. Unlike the related piranhas this is a peaceful plant-eater: it lives on water plants, leaves, fruit and seeds, supplemented with insects, and helps disperse seeds in flooded forest. The species comes from clear, forested rivers and creeks of northern South America, the Guianas and the Amazon region, and swims in schools. Because of its handsome, coin-like shape it is popular in the aquarium hobby.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Ternetz's pacu?
The Ternetz's pacu has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep, strongly laterally flattened, disc-shaped little characin (silver dollar) with incisor teeth; a peaceful plant-eater, not a piranha.
Where does the Ternetz's pacu live?
The Ternetz's pacu lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Fresh water of northern South America (the Guianas and the Amazon region), in clear, forested rivers and creeks.
How big does the Ternetz's pacu get?
The Ternetz's pacu grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.
Is the Ternetz's pacu dangerous to humans?
No, the Ternetz's pacu is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Ternetz's pacu edible?
The Ternetz's pacu is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Myloplus
More from the family Serrasalmidae
Want the complete picture on the Ternetz's pacu?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ternetz's pacu is one of 12,519 species in the app.