Paco was rehomed to Forbes in 1995 at the age of 8. Paco is a pacu: a South American freshwater fish (related to the piranha but pacu fish don’t have sharp teeth). She is naturally peaceful and friendly. She loves having stories and poems read to her. Paco’s favorite foods are strawberries and bananas.
FAQ
Is Paco REALLY as old as you say she is?
- Yes! Pacu fish in the wild often live into their 20s. Paco receives steady food and has no predators, so she is living a long and safe life.
How old will Paco live to be?
- No one knows! She receives regular visits from the same fish expert who has cared for her since she came to Forbes, and we hope she’ll live for many more years!
Why does she eat fruit? Does she eat anything else?
- Paco mainly eats pellets designed for large domesticated fish. In the wild, pacu fish eat the fruit that falls from trees into the water, so in addition to her pellets, Paco also enjoys fruits like bananas and berries.
Can I feed Paco?
- Please do not put anything in Paco’s tank! The librarians and custodial staff keep track of everything she eats and how often she eats so we can make sure she stays healthy.
Why doesn’t Paco have a tankmate?
- Pacus are known as “opportunistic feeders,” which means that while other animals aren’t necessary in their diet, they might eat a fellow fish if given the chance. For the safety of our other fish, we keep Paco in her own tank. Luckily, Paco receives dozens of library visitors every day, so she is not lonely.
Why do you refer to Paco as “she”?
- Many years ago, the library held a program with an animal psychic. After the program, the psychic visited Paco and told librarians that Paco is a girl.
Does Paco need a new tank?
- Paco received a new, larger tank in 2017 when she was 30 years old. After moving into her new tank, Paco grew to fill the tank. At her advanced age, there is a risk involved in transferring her out of her current tank, into a temporary tank during the installation of a new tank, and then back into that new tank. She is safer in her current tank than if she were to go through that process. Paco would also likely continue to grow if she were in a larger tank.