GEORGE TOWN: The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) will collaborate with Aquaria KLCC to identify fish suspected to be piranhas at Klau Dam, Raub, Pahang, using DNA or environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.
Director-General of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain said the collaboration would leverage live piranha specimens and existing DNA data held by Aquaria KLCC to determine the fish’s identity.
"We cannot confirm whether it is a piranha or pacu because we do not have a physical specimen. I hope this collaboration with Aquaria KLCC will help resolve the matter, including identifying the fish at the genus and species levels,” he told reporters after officiating the Teluk Bahang Marine Education Centre here Tuesday (Sept 22).
He said preliminary analysis by the Glami Lemi Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), based on video footage obtained, indicated that the fish’s morphological characteristics more closely resembled those of a piranha. However, definitive identification was not possible without a physical specimen.
Adnan said the Pahang Fisheries Department had instructed inland fishermen at Klau Dam to retain and surrender any fish resembling piranhas for examination of their morphology, scales and teeth.
He said there had been reports from fishermen of similar fish being found, but the specimens had already been discarded.
"Currently, we do not have concrete evidence of a population of this species at Klau Dam. There have also been no reports of unusual mortality among local fish species or attacks involving anglers or members of the public,” he said.
He said if the fish was confirmed to be a piranha, a species native to the Amazon basin, it could theoretically adapt and reproduce in Malaysia’s ecosystem due to the similarity in equatorial climates.
A video of a fish allegedly resembling a piranha being caught by an inland fisherman at Klau Dam recently sparked concern among netizens over the possible presence of the non-native species.
The Pahang Fisheries Department’s investigation found that the fish had been caught using a cast net by a local resident on Aug 26, before the video was circulated through a WhatsApp group.
Meanwhile, Adnan said DOF would meet with online platform operators following allegations that prohibited fish species were still being sold on their platforms.
He said possession of prohibited fish species requires special approval from the DOF, while imported live fish, including permitted species, must be accompanied by a health certificate to ensure they are free from diseases that could threaten the local ecosystem.
He added that the DOF would continue conducting inspections at ornamental fish premises nationwide to ensure compliance with regulations governing the possession and keeping of prohibited fish species. - Bernama
