Janna Clinton’s regular afternoon was transformed into an amazing adventure when her 11-year-old son, Charlie, made an unexpected find while fishing in their backyard pond in Oklahoma. The young angler couldn’t hide his delight as he dragged out a fish unlike any they’d seen before.
In an interview with NPR, Janna detailed the strange meeting. “He was screaming, ‘Oh my God, Mom!'” “Oh my God!” she recalled. Initially dismissing it as theatrics, she quickly understood that Charlie’s catch was anything but typical.
The fish in question was a pacu, a near relative of the famed piranha, which is noted for its enormous, human-like teeth that have frequently alarmed swimmers. The pacu is endemic to South America, therefore its emergence in an Oklahoma pond is a remarkable event.
Charlie’s catch grabbed notice after the Clintons posted a photo of the fish on their neighborhood Facebook group. The sighting finally drew the attention of wildlife wardens, who discovered that the pacu was an invasive species that should not have been put back into the lake.
Charlie, undeterred by his error, has embarked on a new journey to catch the elusive fish. Janna described how her son has been dutifully spending his time at the pond, hoping for another chance to reel in the pacu.
And if he succeeds, it appears Charlie will be handsomely compensated for his efforts. The neighbor has volunteered to cook and eat the pacu, but the family has other intentions. “If he catches it again, we’re going to get it mounted for him,” Janna added proudly. “I think that’s an exceptional prize and he deserves it.”
Game wardens believe the pacu was originally a pet that outgrew its enclosure and was released into the wild. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation voiced dissatisfaction, reminding pet owners that such behaviors can have disastrous consequences for native wildlife.
Interestingly, this is not the first time a pacu has been captured in Oklahoma. The species has been seen a few times over the years, but it is still a rare occurrence.
Aside from its unusual appearance, the pacu has garnered a pretty frightening nickname – “the ball cutter” – based on reports of attacks on men’s testicles. However, scientists claim that such events are uncommon, and that the pacu feeds mostly on nuts and seeds from fruit trees and bushes.
While the fish may not have an appetite for human anatomy, it does offer a unique culinary experience. Renowned for its mild, slightly sweet flavor, pacu has even been likened to hybrid striped bass, tilapia, and rainbow trout in taste.
As Charlie continues his pursuit of this elusive fish, the thrill of the catch remains the ultimate reward. Whether he successfully reels in the pacu once more or not, this extraordinary fishing adventure will undoubtedly be etched in the memory of the young angler and his family for years to come.
