Bhadrak: Catfish, which is native to Amazon River in South America, was found and rescued by a local fisherman in Chandbali area of Bhadrak district. As per the experts, the fish is considered to be extremely dangerous for the ecology of the local river system.
The fish was rescued by a local fisherman Krishna Namaj when the district was flooded last month due to incessant rains in the Baitarani river. Upon spotting the rare fish, Krishna rescued it. However, he assumed it to be poisonous and refrained from eating it. But he was more than happy to keep it safe.
The fish also called pleco has distinctive spikes on its back, mouth low and has got its name because of its face features similar to that of a cat. Krishna’s unique catch soon became famous and news reached marine experts. They informed that the catfish has been spotted previously in northern Odisha and this is not it’s the first sighting in the State.
This is not the first time that a species of catfish native to the Amazon basin was discovered in India. Back in August, a strange-looking fish was discovered in Narsimhulugudem village, Telangana by fishermen. It was later identified as a variety of Hypostomus Plecostomus (catfish). More recently on September 29, it was found in the River Ganges in Varanasi, reported News18.
A Bihar Hindu University professor said to News18 that while the native fish require specific conditions for breeding, the suckermouth catfish can breed in water under any circumstances and anywhere, making it a threat to the balance of the ecosystem.
