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Sheep pacu, Acnodon normani

June 13, 2016 Karen Youngs

Matt Clarke on an unusual member of the Serrasalminae subfamily which is also sold under the names of Tiger pacu and Elongatus pacu.

Scientific name: Acnodon normani

Size: Up to about 15cm/6\".

Origin: South America: Rio Xingu, Rio Amazonas and Rio Tocatins basins.

Water: Found in soft water areas where the pH ranges from 5.8-7.2.

Aquarium: A group needs a tank of 90cm/36\" or more. Fairly robust and fast swimming, so should be OK to keep with larger South American cichlids. Plants are likely to be nibbled.

Diet: Acnodon normani feeds predominantly on vegetation, but also sifts food, including invertebrates, from the detritus.

Habitat: Smaller specimens live in streams, while larger ones live in shoals in larger rivers.

Availability: These fish at Maidenhead Aquatics @ Harlestone Heath were purchased from a UK fish wholesaler, so should be obtainable by most shops. The wholesaler tells us that the fish were imported from Brazil and are a first for the UK. Supplies are limited at the moment.

Notes: This species is also called the Sheep pacu, Elongatus pacu, or Tiger pacu, and is a member of the Serrasalminae subfamily, which includes piranhas. It\'s one of only three species. The other two, A. senai (13cm/5\") and A. oligacanthus (20cm/8\"), have probably not been imported before. Prone to white spot, they may also come in with black spot parasites. Wholesaler recommends formalin.

Rarity rating: The first we\'ve seen in the UK.

Price: 15 for a 5cm/2\" fish.

This article was first published in the Christmas 2003 issue of Practical Fishkeeping magazine.

In Features, Interesting Imports Tags imports, Sheep pacu, Acnodon normani
 
 
 
 
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