Visual ‘pirana’ di empangan Pahang dihantar ke IPP untuk sah spesies

The Fisheries Department of Pahang has sent video and photographs of an allegedly spotted red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) captured in Klau Pond, Raub, to the Fisheries Research Institute (IPP) Glami Lemi in Negeri Sembilan for species confirmation. Fisheries Director Adnan Hussain said the verification process is ongoing alongside the IPP, while monitoring is being carried out in collaboration with local inland fishery community and relevant agencies.

The public is not required to panic and advised against drawing any conclusions until the species confirmation is obtained, he added. The video and photographs were sent today following a survey conducted by the Pahang Fisheries Department regarding the recent social media report of the alleged sighting of this fish species, which also included claims that the fish could consume caiman, sparking concerns among netizens about the possible presence of an alien species in the area.

Pahang Fisheries Department's investigation found that the fish was captured using a net by a local resident on August 26th before the video footage was shared via WhatsApp. According to the involved individuals, only one fish was captured as the alleged piranha, while other catches included river catfish, Javanese catfish, zebra tilapia, and a peacock bass.

However, the said fish died upon reaching the land before being discarded into a trap. The investigation involved meeting the individual who captured the fish, who is a local fisherman and the one who took the video of the capture. Discussions with the local community revealed no further similar fish captures reported since the first incident.

Fisheries Director Roslan Abu Hassan, today, along with representatives from the Raub District Office, police, and Gali 2 Mukim Chief, conducted a site inspection in addition to meeting the local community witnesses to the alleged discovery.