Piranha in Pahang? Fisheries Department calls in Aquaria KLCC for DNA backup

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 22 — The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) is partnering with Aquaria KLCC to identify fish suspected of being piranhas at Klau Dam in Raub, Pahang, through DNA or environmental DNA analysis. Director-General of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain explained that the collaboration would involve using live piranha specimens and existing DNA data from Aquaria KLCC to confirm the fish's identity.

"We cannot confirm whether it is a piranha or pacu due to the lack of a physical specimen," Hussain told reporters after inaugurating the Teluk Bahang Marine Education Centre. Preliminary analysis by the Glami Lemi Fisheries Research Institute suggested the fish's morphological characteristics resembled those of a piranha, although definitive identification required a physical specimen.

The Pahang Fisheries Department has instructed inland fishermen at Klau Dam to retain and surrender any fish resembling piranhas for examination of morphology, scales, and teeth. No concrete evidence of a piranha population at Klau Dam had been found, and there were no reports of unusual fish mortality or attacks on anglers or the public.

If confirmed to be a piranha, a native Amazonian species, it could potentially adapt and reproduce in Malaysia's equatorial climate. A video of a fish allegedly resembling a piranha caught by an inland fisherman at Klau Dam had sparked public concern. The Pahang Fisheries Department discovered the fish was caught using a cast net by a local resident on Aug 26, before the video was shared via WhatsApp.

Hussain said DOF would investigate online platform operators following allegations of prohibited fish species still being sold on their platforms. Possession of prohibited fish requires special approval from DOF, while imported live fish, including permitted species, must have a health certificate to ensure they are disease-free.

The DOF would continue inspections at ornamental fish premises nationwide to enforce regulations on prohibited fish species.