Pirapatinga

Quick facts

Adult size

70 cm, 8000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

365 to 730 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 25 years

Diet

omnivore

Temperature class

warm-water

Difficulty

intermediate

Water parameters

Temperature range

24–32°C (optimum 28°C)

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Hardness

1 to 20 dGH

Minimum tank

2500 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

30% target

Daily feed (warm water)

1.20% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.50% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

30 g per litre of system water

A 8000g adult eats about 96.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 960 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

Native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in South America, particularly Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia. The species (Piaractus brachypomus) is closely related to tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and shares the same family (Serrasalmidae) as piranhas. Often called red-bellied pacu or pirapitinga, the species has a distinctive red-orange ventral coloring, particularly in juveniles. Adults reach 80 cm and 20 kg in the wild; culture harvest size is typically 0.8–2 kg. Pirapatinga are omnivorous with a strong herbivorous tendency, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, and plant material in wild flooded forest habitats. The species is widely cultured across South America and has been introduced to aquaculture operations in tropical Asia, particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The flesh is white, firm, and mild with moderate fat content.

Climate and outdoor ponds

Climate classification

tropical (needs warm water year-round)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

10 to 13 (winter low around -1°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Required for year-round operation

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

Care notes

A warm-water food fish for tropical aquaponics, very similar in care requirements to tambaqui (black pacu). Optimal temperature is 24–30°C; growth slows below 22°C and stops below 18°C. Growth: 0.8–1.5 kg in 10-14 months on commercial pellet (28-35% protein). FCR is 1.4-1.9, slightly less efficient than tambaqui. Like other large pacu species, pirapatinga eat plant material, fruit, and vegetable waste, which reduces reliance on commercial pellet in integrated aquaponics systems. Stocking density: 15-30 g/L. Water quality tolerance is moderate to good: DO above 3 mg/L, pH 6.0-8.0, ammonia below 2 mg/L. Pirapatinga are schooling fish and do best in groups of 3 or more. Cannibalism is not a major concern because the species is primarily herbivorous, but size-grading is still good practice. Fingerlings are available from hatcheries in Brazil, Colombia, and tropical Asian countries. In the US, pirapatinga is regulated similarly to other pacu species; check state regulations. The species is often hybridized with tambaqui in Brazilian aquaculture (the hybrid is called tambacu) to combine the fast growth of tambaqui with the cold tolerance of pirapatinga.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else