Oklahoma Boy Catches a Fish With Teeth Eerily Similar to Humans

A young Oklahoma boy had a bit of a surprise when he was fishing at his local neighborhood pond. Instead of pulling out the usual panfish or trout, Charlie Clinton reeled in an unusual catch. It was a fish with a big mouth full of human-looking teeth. The unsettling fish is a Pacu, a South American fish that is a cousin to the piranha. 

Pacu are not native to Oklahoma, and should not be found swimming in neighborhood ponds. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation explains that this strange-looking fish was probably bought as a pet and released into the pond when it outgrew its tank.

According to a Facebook post by the wildlife agency, “These fish are generally harmless to humans, but the practice of dumping unwanted pets in waterways can be incredibly harmful to native wildlife. Pacu can reach sizes up to 3.5 feet and 88 pounds! They are an exotic, invasive species that can cause damage to our local ecosystems.”

About Pacu Fish: The Fish With Human Teeth

Pacu is the common name for several species of fish closely related to the piranha. However, piranhas have sharp, razor-like teeth, while pacu teeth are blunt and straight, resembling human teeth. Pacu are usually silver, gray, black, or white. Although some species may be more vibrant. For example, the red-bellied pacu has a vibrant reddish-orange belly. Pacu also grows much larger than piranhas and can get up to 88 pounds.

Pacu lives in the freshwater rivers that run through the subtropical Pantanal region in South America. They have strong teeth that they use to munch on the seeds and nuts that fall into the water from trees along the river.

Are Pacu Dangerous to Humans?

Despite their size and intimidating mouths full of teeth, Pacu is not aggressive and will not attack a human. Bites from a pacu usually happen when the fish mistakes a finger or other body part for food. Pacus are omnivorous, meaning they will eat both meat and plants. Their diet consists of crustaceans, small fish, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Their blunt, human-like teeth help them munch on things like seeds and hard shells of crustaceans.

Pacu are not dangerous to humans but can harm ecosystems when they are introduced into waterways outside their native range. They reproduce quickly and grow large, disrupting the natural food web in a habitat.

What to Do if You Find a Pacu in Your Local Waterway?

The Oklahoma Wildlife Agency recommends if you catch a Pacu or other invasive fish, don’t catch and release. Remove the fish from the waterway and contact your local game warden or wildlife agency.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Edvard Ellric/Shutterstock.com