Oklahoma Boy Discovers Piranha Relative in Backyard Pond

An 11-year-old boy in Oklahoma caught a pacu, a relative of the piranha, in a neighborhood pond while fishing. The pacu, known for its molar-like teeth, was released back into the water but was later recognized as an invasive species. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation blamed a pet owner for releasing the fish into the wild and warned about the harmful practice of dumping unwanted pets in waterways. Pacu have been caught in Oklahoma before, and while they are generally harmless to humans, they can grow to large sizes. The pacu's nickname, "the ball cutter," stems from its purported habit of attacking men's testicles, although this behavior is rare.