Rising numbers of the pacu fish are down to pet owners releasing them into the wild
IF you’re heading to the States this summer, you may want to avoid swimming in their lakes.
Well, particularly if you’re a man.
A gruesome looking fish with human-like teeth and a reputation for nibbling on testicles has been caught in a lake in Michigan.
In fact, several of the bizarre pacu fish – who boast a full set of teeth very similar in appearance to our own gnashers – have ended up on the end of fishermen’s rods in recent times.
Nick Popoff, manager of the DNR’s Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs Unit, said: “Pets released from confined, artificial environments are poorly equipped to fend off predators and may be unable to successfully forage for food or find shelter.
“Those that do succeed in the wild can spread exotic diseases to native animals.
“In the worst-case scenario, released animals can thrive and reproduce, upsetting natural ecosystems to the degree that these former pets become invasive species.”
He said: “We did say that we recommend men to keep their swimsuits tied up until we know if there are more pacus out there in our waters.
Of course, this is half a joke since it is very unlikely that you would actually meet one here and that it would bite you.
“It’s up to people themselves how careful they want to be.
“I’ll keep my shorts on, though.”
Post a Comment