Pahang fisheries probes claim of invasive red-bellied piranha in Klau Dam

The director of the Pahang Fisheries Department, Roslan Abu Hasan, announced that fisheries officers will visit Klau Dam in Raub to verify a recent report of a red-bellied piranha capture. This follows a prior incident where a red-bellied pacu was found in the reservoir, prompting a local freshwater monitoring group to raise alarms. The piranha, native to the Amazon basin, is believed to have been introduced by human release, raising fears of further introductions or possible breeding.

Malaysian regulations classify piranhas and pacus as controlled or prohibited species because of their invasive potential, restricting possession, import and sale. The department plans to gather evidence this week to determine whether the species is present and assess any ecological risk.