No evidence of established piranha population in Pahang’s Klau Dam yet, says Fisheries Dept

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 17 — The Department of Fisheries (DOF) confirmed on September 17 that no evidence of an established or breeding piranha population exists in Klau Dam, Raub, following the capture of a suspected piranha on August 26. Director-General Datuk Adnan Hussain stated that only one piranha had been reported caught in the region, and investigations by the Pahang Fisheries Department up to September 15 found no further catches or safety concerns.

The technical assessment by the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) in Glami Lemi, Negeri Sembilan, found the creature's morphological traits to align with the Pygocentrus genus, but lacked a physical specimen for species-level confirmation. The fish was reportedly dead and disposed of before investigation, according to Adnan. Social media had previously been rife with claims of piranhas in the Klau Dam, including the unfounded assertion that they had consumed a crocodile, causing public alarm.

Adnan urged the public not to panic and emphasized the DOF's ongoing monitoring efforts in the Klau Dam and nearby areas to identify any further developments. He warned against the irresponsible release of alien or invasive fish species into public waters, as it could harm local aquatic ecosystems, fish populations, and biodiversity.

If a fish suspected to be an alien species, like the piranha, is caught, it should not be released back into the water but kept in good condition and reported to the nearest fisheries office for examination, potentially including DNA testing. The public is advised to seek information solely from official DOF sources to prevent confusion and speculation.