A Texas fisherman reeled in an exotic, toothed fish from a river during a recent fishing trip.

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Shane O'Brien caught a red-belly pacu, a fish native to South America, in the Medina River, KENS reported.

"I was a little freaked out by it. I didn't want to touch it because I was like, what if this thing bites me?" O'Brien told KENS.

The fish, which can grow up to 50 pounds, are typically purchased at pet stores, then dumped into a body of water when they outgrow their tanks, wildlife officials told KENS.

The have human-like teeth and a powerful jaw to feed on nuts and fruits.

Despite their appearance, they are not aggressive or a threat to humans, wildlife officials said.

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State senators Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, and RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, fist bump at the Senate at the Capitol in Atlanta on Crossover Day, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com