DNR: Fish with human-like teeth found in Great Lakes

(WPBN/WGTU)-- In July, the Department of Natural Resources had three reports of Piaractus brachypomus, or pacu, being found in the Great Lakes.

The pacu is a fish native to South America with human-like teeth used for eating nuts and seeds. The DNR says the fish is a popular import for aquariums in North America.

According to the DNR, the fish often outgrow people’s tanks, causing the dilemma of what to do with the fish that they no longer have room for.

"Pet release 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," said Nick Popoff, manager of the DNR's Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs Unit. "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."

The pacu is not considered an invasive species because the effects on the ecosystem are not known and the tropical fish is not expected to survive through the cold Great Lakes water in the winter.

"Invasive or not – planting fish of any kind in the waters of the state without a permit is illegal," said Popoff. "This includes the release of aquarium fish like pacus and goldfish, as well as farm-raised fish from private ponds."

The DNR urges people to find other options to get rid of imported fish, such as returning it to the store or donating it to a zoo or hobbyist.