The humanlike teeth of a pacu. (Wikimedia Photo)

The humanlike teeth of a pacu. (Wikimedia Photo)

A pacu – a fish related to the piranha, native to the Amazon, with odd humanlike teeth and a mythical reputation for biting human testicles – was recently discovered in a reservoir in southern New Jersey.

According to an article on 6ABC.com, fishermen caught the pacu in Swedes Lake in Delran, New Jersey on Sunday.

State officials say they believe the fish probably ended up in the man-made lake when somebody purchased it at a pet store and then dumped it in the lake.

The pacu is known for its teeth, which have an odd resemblance to human teeth. Some people believe they bite human testicles, confusing them for tree nuts. But an article on NationalGeographic.com says that reputation is largely a myth, as there are very few reports of pacus targeting humans. In fact, while the pacu is related to the piranha and can have a powerful and dangerous bite, the pacu is actually an omnivore that primarily eats plants.

A pacu. (Wikimedia Photo)

A pacu. (Wikimedia Photo)