The fish was speared on Valentine Day while the gentlemen were on a routine fishing expedition. Both John Jr and Sr realized that they had never encountered the species before and surmised that it was not native to the area or perhaps even the Country. Their hunch proved right with a little 'Google' Research upon their return to the village.
The 'Pacu' or 'Cachama' or 'Colossoma' is a native of northern or tropical South America and is widely known in the Guianas, Suriname and Brazil.
There are no known previous reports or sightings of the fish in Belize. The 'Pacu' measured 32 inches in length and 18 lbs in weight.
Shortly after completing their 'Google' Research the 'Pacu' was confined to the Anthony's dinner table, with a small portion of the 'Wings' or bony flanks reserved for 'corning' or Salting and Smoking. Thid is a familiar mode of preservation of fish and meats in rural Belize.
The 'Pacu' formerly classified as Colossoma macroporum has been revised to the scientific name Piaractus brachypomus is related to the Piranhas - a group of South American freshwater fishes false portrayed by Hollywood as blood hungry carnivores that would make short work of any person who unfortunately fell into the water.
The immense distances between northern South America and Belize, coupled with impassable and impossible geographic and ecological barriers, would eliminate any presence of the 'Pacu' in Belize as a function of natural events. It is likely that the fish would have escaped from Captive Husbandry or Aquaculture situations in either Yucatan M�xico, or western Guatemala. One cannot however rule out introductions from the pet trade, vis-a-vis aquarium escapes, or wilful releases from said Mexico and/or Guatemala, as well as from within Belize.
The 'Pacu' is an attractive candidate for aquaculture given its largely vegetarian diet, docile nature, fast growth rate and low bone to carcass ratio.