Eleven-year-old Charlie Clinton’s fishing trip took an unexpected turn when he caught a fish with human-like teeth in a pond behind his house in Oklahoma. His mother, Janna, was shocked when Charlie called out for her, screaming in horror at the strange creature dangling from his fishing line.
The pond is a popular spot for catch-and-release fishing, with bass and catfish being common catches. However, Charlie’s haul was unlike anything they had ever seen before. The fish had teeth that resembled human teeth, leaving Janna stunned. “Obviously being in a neighborhood pond, we’re used to just catching a few bass or catfish…I mean, nothing with human-like teeth,” she said.
A photo of the strange fish was posted on the neighborhood’s Facebook page, generating a flurry of comments from concerned residents. Some suggested that the family contact wildlife experts, while others expressed shock and disbelief at the fish’s unusual appearance.
After consulting with wildlife experts, the family discovered that the fish was a pacu, a South American species related to piranhas. Pacus are primarily vegetarian, with square teeth and a small overbite, unlike their carnivorous relatives. Wildlife experts were baffled by the fish’s presence in the pond, suspecting that it was a former pet that had outgrown its tank and been released into the wild.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation took to Twitter to address the previous owner of the fish, saying, “Dear, whoever released an entire Pacu…into a NEIGHBORHOOD pond; how dare you.” The tweet sparked a heated debate online, with many users expressing shock and outrage at the fish’s release.
This was not the first time a pacu had been discovered in Oklahoma. In 2018, an 11-year-old boy caught a pacu at Marina Cove at Ft. Cobb Lake. Oklahoma Game Wardens issued a warning on Facebook, stating that pacus can grow up to 3.5 feet and 88 pounds, and are likely introduced to Oklahoma waters through the release of non-native pets.
Despite their fearsome reputation, pacus are generally safe for humans. However, they have earned the unsettling nickname “the ball cutters” due to incidents in other countries where men have been bitten in sensitive areas.
Charlie, still in Oklahoma, has been trying to catch the pacu again, hoping to make it a prized catch. His mother, Janna, said, “If he catches it again, we’re going to get it mounted for him. I think that’s a heck of a prize and he deserves it.”
