Fisheries Dept collaborates with Aquaria KLCC to identify fish suspected to be piranha at Pahang dam

GEORGE TOWN: The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) will collaborate with Aquaria KLCC to identify fish suspected to be piranhas at Klau Dam, Raub, Pahang, using DNA or environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.

Director-General of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain said the collaboration would leverage live piranha specimens and existing DNA data held by Aquaria KLCC to determine the fish’s identity.

"We cannot confirm whether it is a piranha or pacu because we do not have a physical specimen. I hope this collaboration with Aquaria KLCC will help resolve the matter, including identifying the fish at the genus and species levels,” he told reporters after officiating the Teluk Bahang Marine Education Centre here Tuesday (Sept 22).