Pirarucu Fish Diet

The pirarucu is a large freshwater fish that can grow up to 9 feet in length and is found in South America's Amazon basin. These fish have become rare due to excessive fishing and are part of a conservation program in South America.

  1. Main Food Source

    • Pirarucus are carnivores whose main food source is other fish. This is important as it helps to regulate other fish species. In captivity, the fish is usually fed chopped fish and a specially formulated fish food.

    Other Food Sources

    • An air-breathing fish, the pirarucu needs to surface every 10 to 20 minutes. It often leaps out of the water to catch birds or small animals near the surface of the water.

    Juvenile Pirarucu

    • Juvenile pirarucu stay with their parents for approximately three months. During this time they eat small fish as well as insects and fish larvae. They also eat other small organisms. The male pirarucu plays an important role in raising the young fish, never letting them out of his sight.