Published: 12:00 AM, 14 August 2016
Fish with human-like teeth found in Michigan lakes
Pacu fish, which are close relatives of the piranha, have been seen swimming in Michigan lakes. The Michigan Natural Resources Department received reports of a fish with human teeth swimming in the Great Lakes State's waters. The Pacu fish is not a genetic abnormality, but rather a close piranha relative that renounced its carnivorous diet.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said they have received three reports of Pacu - two from Lake St. Clair and one from the area of Port Huron. Pet owners reportedly release these fish into the water when they get too big for home aquariums.Nick Popoff, manager of the DNR's Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs Unit warned that releasing these creatures into the wild "is almost never humane."
"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," Popoff said. "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."Pacu have powerful, human-like teeth that can chew threw nuts, fruit and plants. They can grow up to three feet and 55 pounds in size. The fish currently do not breed in the U.S., but the DNR says climate change could change this, which is why they shouldn't be released into lakes, ponds or creeks.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said they have received three reports of Pacu - two from Lake St. Clair and one from the area of Port Huron. Pet owners reportedly release these fish into the water when they get too big for home aquariums.Nick Popoff, manager of the DNR's Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs Unit warned that releasing these creatures into the wild "is almost never humane."
"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," Popoff said. "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."Pacu have powerful, human-like teeth that can chew threw nuts, fruit and plants. They can grow up to three feet and 55 pounds in size. The fish currently do not breed in the U.S., but the DNR says climate change could change this, which is why they shouldn't be released into lakes, ponds or creeks.
