This was found floating in our local pond. I think it is a red bellied pacu.

Your right. Pacu's start dying as the water starts cooling off. Probably a released aquarium specimen.

Thanks. at first thought it was a piranha but the scales gave it away.

Definitely looks like a Pacu to me, too.

Very sad, that was a good sized Pacu.

There's one somewhere that got away in the Pond at Garland/Beltline rd. Bout that size.

Its a red belly pacu, they are related to piranha and most people when they catch them scream piranha.

They're a blast to catch when they get in the 15+ lb. range. Unfortunatly with all these freezes here in Florida, I've found 5 of these pacu's dead on the shoreline.

vegetarian piranha. except they get a ton bigger. One of the most popular tank species(I have even seen some at walmart) that outgrows their tank quickly. These need 150+gal to reach full potential.
I used to be a saltwater tank nut, but the upkeep (more importantly time) was too dang much.

pacu, caught one a little over a year ago at my local pond. Good fighters

Your a 100% right its a red belied pacu

One down and many more invasive species to go..

I'm going with pacu Chuck...