CATFISH SPECIES:

  • Chao Phraya Catfish
  • Chao Phraya Catfish
  • Giant Seacatfish
  • Grey Eel Catfish
  • Hemibagrus Wyckii
  • Hemibagrus Wyckioides
  • Mekong Giant Catfish
  • Salween Shovelnose
  • Shark Catfish
  • Striped Catfish
  • Thai African Catfish
  • Thickspined Catfish
  • Truncated Estuarine
  • Walking Catfish, African

SNAKEHEAD SPECIES:

  • Dwarf Snakehead
  • Giant Snakehead
  • Great Snakehead
  • Splendid Snakehead
  • Striped Snakehead

FEATHERBACK SPECIES

OTHER SPECIES

  • Alligator Gar
  • Arapaima
  • Suckermouth Catfish
  • Barramundi
  • Boeseman Croaker 1
  • Boeseman Croaker 2
  • Fourfinger Threadfin
  • Freshwater garfish
  • Giant Gourami
  • Mangrove Jack
  • Marbled Goby
  • Nandid Tiger Perch
  • Northern Paradise Fish
  • Pacu
  • Parambassis siamensis
  • Swamp Eel
  • Tilapia Nile & Java
  • Tilapia, Blotched Red
  • Wrestling Halfbeak


The Pacu

The Pacu is native to South America . The Pacu has been traditionally known as a fruit eating Piranha type fish, that provides a surprisingly spirited fight on light tackle. The Pacu as with a number of other Amazonian species has adapted very well to life in Thailand's fishing lakes where they are now reaching world record proportions.

A Perfect Pacu from Nichada.

Current IGFA All Tackle Record:

19.95 kgs/44lbs 6 oz.

Other common names:

  • Piaractus brachypomus
  • Pla Paku
  • Pirapitinga

Identification:

Pacu are a deep bodied fish, yet narrow across the shoulders, plate-or saucer shaped is a description often used for the Pacu, they in some regards are the tropical equivalent to our native bream, in terms of dimensions and shoaling behaviour, although the diet is completely different. The Pacu's colour can vary as with many species dependant on habitat, but are typically a beautiful dark grey thru to bronzish green. The Pacu has very fine scales, which makes it a very pleasant fish to handle. A small mouth and blunt teeth designed more for crushing than biting indicate the Pacu's varied diet. The most common Pacu in Thai waters is the, Piaractus brachypomus but there sevral other varieties to including the Red-Bellied Pacu, and also another variety known to reach weights of up to 60LBS.

Dimensions:

Weights of over 40LB have been recorded, measuring up to 80cm nose to tail.

Baits & Tactics:

The Pacu is omnivorous. Although traditionally fished for with berries fruit and other plant based baits, success can be gained equally by fishing with pieces of raw chicken, but of course if you caught a world record this way it would be disqualified. The Pacu shoal and can feed veraciously in a pack. They feel most at home in mid water, around the margins and in shaded areas, so float fishing various bait's on the drop is a good method for targeting the Pacu, although they will also take baits laying on the bottom.

Fighting Characteristics:

Becuase of the Pacu's deep flanks, larger specimens can at times put up considerable residence when kiting on light line, the Pacu will take short sharp runs, and also lung for the depths when hooked.

Catch Report:

The Pacu, although not a difficult species to catch can be elusive once a single specimen is taken from the shoal. We have taken a number of specimens recently approaching 1okg, but there are venues in Thailand where you can clearly see much larger specimens swimming around just under the surface

Venues:

Follow the venue links below to find out where you can catch the Pacu.

  • Bungsamlan
  • Top Cats Fishing Resort - Samui
  • Nichada
  • Hat- Yai