Caught this fish in a local pond.

Looks like a piranha,has teeth like a piranha,but apparently isn't.

What is it?

Not sure I should post this in farming or general.

Mods,your call.

Looks like a piranha to me. A lot of piranhas were released into the wild from aquariums which has led to a subsequent ban on their importation.

I found this;

http://fishwanted.blogspot.ie/2011/04/red-belly-piranha-pygocentrus-nattereri.html

Moved to Fishing Forum.

Looks like a piranha to me. A lot of piranhas were released into the wild from aquariums which has led to a subsequent ban on their importation.

Thanks for that so will the pond have any other fish.

Or must it be cleared.

I found this;

http://fishwanted.blogspot.ie/2011/04/red-belly-piranha-pygocentrus-nattereri.html

It is certainly very similar to the photo in your link.

Red Bellied Pacu or Pla Jaramet Daeng in Thai. Is an omnivore and will eat small fish. Pretty common in fish parks as well as farm ponds.

Hedghog, on 19 Jan 2015 - 17:59, said:

ATF, on 19 Jan 2015 - 17:18, said:

Looks like a piranha to me. A lot of piranhas were released into the wild from aquariums which has led to a subsequent ban on their importation.

Thanks for that so will the pond have any other fish.

Or must it be cleared.

For an absolute ID you will need to do some research like counting the number of rays on the fins etc. It's up to you if you want to clear them but if the pond is landlocked I don't see a problem. They can be sold to aquarists at a good price, a few 1000 baht each and they also make good eating I have heard.

Red Bellied Pacu or Pla Jaramet Daeng in Thai. Is an omnivore and will eat small fish. Pretty common in fish parks as well as farm ponds.

Definitely a Red Bellied Pacu. I have 5 of these in my pond.

http://megafishingthailand.com/fish-species-in-thailand/introduced/red-bellied-pacu-colossoma-spp/

One sure way to tell, is to place the arm into the pond. Pull out your arm after 1 minute and if you still have flesh on the bone, then it`s a Red Bellied Pacu.

OK.

I have someone coming to confirm the fish species tomorrow.

I haven't seen any thing like it before,exception being nature programs.

I will let you all know the result.

Thank you for your replies.

The photographed fish has been consumed,so obviously edible.

Beetlejuice.

I wish you had warned me before I went for a swim.

I am now missing several body parts and am struggling typing.

Will I make it to the hospital in time?

Pacu 100%.

Thanks for the replies.

The fish is confirmed as a Pacu.

I can now move forward and stock the pond for my personal use.

It sits on my rental property,I just haven't bothered before.

If the teeth are almost human like it's a Pacu and also far bigger than the similar looking flesh eating cousin. Great sport on light tackle.

Pacu have been troublesome as an invasive species in PNG for a decade now.

As BJ says, can be highly aggressive fish but if allowed to feed organically make for excellent eating I understand....