Invasive ‘Ikan Bandaraya’ caught in Sungai Langat

MORE than 700kg of Suckermouth Catfish or known locally as "ikan bandaraya" were caught in less than three hours at Sungai Langat.

According to state infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim, these invasive species have invaded nearly all rivers as well as lakes and mining ponds in the Klang Valley affecting the Sungai Klang, Sungai Langat and Sungai Selangor.

“These foreign fish species occupy the top of the food chain and are the types that are dominant and invasive.

“The average weight for each fish is 600g and this size is of great concern when found in our rivers.

“Even the rapid breeding rate is concerning as it poses a significant risk of surpassing the population of our native fishes.

“The fish originate from aquariums where they are used for algae cleaning purposes.

“Once they grow larger, fish owners release them.

“If thousands are kept and thousands are released, they can disrupt our ecosystem,” said Izham on Sunday (June 9) during the second series of the Sungai Langat fish conservation programme near Sungai Langat in Bangi.

The conservation programme focuses on hunting for foreign fish alongside the community to curb the flooding of invasive foreign fish populations that have affected native fish species in the country's aquatic ecosystems.

In the same programme, 10,000 Ikan lampam (Tinfoil barb) fish fry were released into Sungai Langat.