Black-ear Pacu

About

Known by several common names including Black-ear Pacu and Disc Pacu, Myleus schomburgkii is a laterally compressed, disc-shaped characin from the Amazon and upper Orinoco drainages of South America. Its most reliable field mark is the bold black vertical bar running down the flanks, which handily separates it from the closely related Redhook pacu. A fish it resembles closely enough that the two are sometimes mixed up at the point of sale, so it pays to check carefully before buying. Adults grow into substantial fish, and their powerful jaws are built for processing tough plant material, so any soft-leaved aquatic plants in the tank are fair game for a snack. Despite that dental hardware, these fish are generally peaceful toward tankmates of comparable size, though anything small enough to fit in their mouths is at risk. A group of at least five is recommended, as they feel more settled in numbers. They tend to cruise the middle and upper water column, which makes bottom-dwelling species like larger plecos or doradid catfish natural companions. No successful captive breeding has been documented in the hobby. With a forgiving temperament and straightforward dietary needs, this is a manageable choice for keepers who simply have the space to accommodate a large schooling fish long-term.