My grandson just caught this fish. I’m not sure what it is.

Pacu. It's in the pirahna family. Some ******** surely dumped it from an aquarium. Did you keep it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacu

Ugh, some jerkoff dumped some in our local lake a few years ago, luckily they couldn’t handle the winter.

Good Call !

It was released back in the water it was caught in. I believe it’s from a small pond in humble tx. I’ll get more details in the morning on it’s exact location. I concur on a pacu, never seen or heard of them.

Might want to report it to the TPWD dept there.

None of the pacu species are listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife as invasive or prohibited. They are herbivores, and although it is typically not a good idea to return exotic species to the water, the pacu should not create a problem.

Perfect answer, Barry.

I have heard of guys catching them on minnows.

Oh, do not lip them! They have crushing teeth.

They're primarily herbivores, but if they're hungry enough they'll eat whatever is available.

I agree. They are a lot like tilapia. Although they are considered herbivores I have caught them on worms, cut bait, and even flies.

I've caught a few several years ago in garland off Saturn road in a little pond between some houses

red bellied pacu are in many lakes. i remember when i was the live exhibits mgr for Bass Pro Shops getting many calls from local anglers saying "i think i just caught a piranha but its got teeth just like mine!" there are some listed for lake records. most are just a few lbs but they get big. i had a couple donated to me that i had on display at bps that were almost 20lbs.

They usually cannot survive water below 60-65 degrees. But right that is a pacu and they occur in urban ponds a lot... they grow fast and outgrow tanks and folks throw them in ponds.