Animals A-Z
Black Pacu
Scientific Name : Colossoma macropomum
Status : Least Concern (IUCN)
On view at Aquarium in : Amazon Waterfall
Despite its powerful appearance and human-like teeth, the black pacu is a peaceful herbivore, with a diet primarily made up of fruits and nuts. Native to the rivers and floodplains of South America, this impressive gentle giant plays a vital role in its ecosystem by helping to disperse seeds as it feasts on fallen forest bounty. Locally known as the Tambaqui, the black pacu is an essential part of the riverine food chain.
Quick Facts
Did You Know?
- Human-Like Teeth: One of the black pacu’s most distinctive features is its human-like teeth, large molars perfectly designed for crushing tough plant material, which allows them to process a wide variety of food sources.
- Flooded Forest Feasts: During the rainy season, black pacus swim through flooded forests, feasting on fruits and nuts that fall from the trees. By consuming and dispersing seeds, they play a key role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem, aiding in forest regeneration and supporting biodiversity.
- Piranha Relatives: Black pacus share a close evolutionary relationship with piranhas, as both belong to the same family, Serrasalmidae. While they may resemble their notorious cousins with their sharp teeth and strong jaws, black pacus are generally much larger and far less aggressive. Their docile nature and vegetarian diet make them an important part of the ecosystem, in contrast to the predatory behaviour often associated with piranhas.
Museum Gallery
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Located right on the main road so very easy to locate and head over to food and shopping. There are adorable penguins and otters to watch and interact with through the glass. Also, there are many interesting fish, lobsters, crabs, rays, etc to admire. We didn’t have kids with us but definitely something they would enjoy. I would recommend it everyone who stops in Dingle.
Definitely a must see spot in Dingle. We loved the butterfly room and the otters. All of the exhibits are well maintained, the animals look healthy and cared for and the educational talks were very informative.
Great aquarium with lots of different tanks, exhibits and information. Plenty of fish, sea creatures, penguins, otters and even a butterfly enclosure make this a lovely place to spend two hours. Staff are informative and helpful.
Great place! Seems tiny on the outside but lots to see, lovely time spent for both adults and kids. There is a variety of animals to see and interesting facts and info to read as well, highly recommended!
