KUALA LUMPUR, September 26 2026, The Department of Fisheries (DOF) is investigating reports of fish suspected to be piranhas being caught around Klau Dam in Raub, Pahang.
Piranhas are not native to Malaysia and are considered alien fish species that must not be released into public waters.
The DOF said there is currently no concrete evidence that a piranha population has become established at the dam.
The investigation began after a suspected piranha was caught by a local resident at Klau Dam on Aug 26. The fish was later discarded, preventing authorities from conducting a physical examination.
The Fisheries Research Institute in Glami Lemi, Negeri Sembilan, subsequently examined photographs and video footage of the catch and found that its physical characteristics were consistent with the genus Pygocentrus, which includes piranhas.
However, the species could not be conclusively identified.
A second fish was reportedly caught in Sungai Klau on Sept 19 by an angling group, which identified it as a red-bellied piranha. The claim, however, has not been independently confirmed by the DOF.
Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the department would collaborate with Aquaria KLCC to conduct DNA or environmental DNA analysis to help determine the identity of the fish.
He said confirmation would require a physical specimen.
The DOF has also instructed fishermen around Klau Dam to retain and surrender any fish resembling a piranha for examination, including checks of its morphology, scales and teeth.
Piranhas are freshwater fish native to Central and South America, including the Amazon basin. While known for their sharp teeth and powerful jaws, their reputation as aggressive man-eaters has been exaggerated, with reported attacks on humans considered uncommon.
Nevertheless, the DOF has warned that alien fish species could disrupt aquatic ecosystems and threaten native fish populations if they become established.
According to Adnan, if the fish is eventually confirmed as a piranha, it could potentially adapt and reproduce in Malaysia due to similarities between the country’s equatorial climate and conditions in its natural habitat.
For now, the department said there is no evidence of an established piranha population at Klau Dam, nor reports of unusual fish deaths or attacks involving anglers or members of the public.
The DOF has advised the public not to release suspected alien fish back into waterways and to hand them over to the Pahang Fisheries Department for examination.
-MalayMail
