A resident in the Texas Panhandle caught an invasive fish species that’s part of the piranha family.
The invasive Pacu fish was captured at the Lake Meredith National Recreation on Tuesday.
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What is a Pacu fish?
The Pacu is a South American freshwater fish that’s related to piranha but has key differences. The fish is vegetarian and has teeth that look similar to those of humans.
The fish can grow up to more than 3 feet long and weight up to 88 lbs.
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How did the Pacu fish arrive to Texas?
The Pacu fish was likely a pet that quickly outgrew its aquarium, according to a Facebook post from the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has also mentioned Pacu a few times in the past, including a 7.95 lb Pacu caught in the Concho River in San Angelo in 2012 and a red-bellied Pacu caught in the San Marcos River in 2006.
What to do if you see or catch an invasive fish
The best thing to do is “dispatch the animal quickly and humanely,” according to an article on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.
In some states, it is illegal to possess or transport invasive species of concern — and they should not return to the water, or even a fisher’s livewell.
Some invasive species like snakehead, blue catfish, lionfish, and carp are delicious and can be enjoyed for dinner.
The Service also suggests reporting new sightings whenever possible with the exact location and a photo, using the U.S. Geological Survey Report Form.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Invasive pacu fish found in Lake Meredith near Amarillo
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