<i>Piranha in Kaptai Lake! </i>

Officials examining a Piranha at Fisheries Research Institute, Rangamati.Photo: STAR

Presence of carnivorous fish Piranha in Kaptai Lake has worried fishery officials and people alike in Rangamati. Some fishermen netted some Piranha fishes from Longudu area in the lake recently.
Senior scientific officer of Rangamati Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) Md. Alamgi Hossain told The Daily Star that Piranha was netted by some fishermen from Katthali area about a couple of months ago. “They brought those to our office as they were confused about identity of the fish (Piranha)”, he said.
"I don't know how many fishes (Piranha) are in in the lake. I wondered how the fish come to the lake," Alamgir said, adding, “Piranha is terrible for all animals, even humans”. No fish can survive in an water body if there is Piranha, he said.
"It's a very bad news that Piranha was found in the lake. It will destroy fish resource”, Hossain said.
“Amongst most terrible animals of the world ---tiger is in forests, shark in ocean and piranha is in sweet water," said Mojurul Kibria, associate professor of biology at Chittagong University.
Monjurul, also a fishery scientist and researchers, said immediate steps should be taken to save fishes in the lake.
Sources said Piranha is being sold in different areas of the country in the mane of 'tekchanda' and 'thaichanda. It scientific name is Pygocentrus Natteriri or Red Belid Piranha. It grows up to 33 centimeters and three kilograms in weight.
It grows rapidly and moves in groups. It always hunts for blood. They can kill and eat up a human within few minutes, he said.
Businessman Babu Das of Baghaichhari, claimed that some fishermen men cultivated Piranha in some ponds in Baghaichhari taking it to be Rupchanda. He claimed that Piranha could spread in the lake during the last flood most ponds in the area flooded their banks.
Sources said Piranha is available in the Latin America, Bolivia, Venezuelan, Colombia and Brazil.
However, authority of Rangamati Fishery Research Institute is being concealed the fact, it's alleged.
Though Piranha was caught from lake a couple of months ago, FRI authorities concealed it and did not take any action, he alleged.
Asked whether FRI was taking any step, Alamgir Hossain said, “Step have to be taken by BFDC and we can only assist them”.
"In the past, I told several meetings to precautionary steps so that fish cultivators do not cultivate Piranha and African Magur in Rangamati," he said.
Contacted, BFDC manager Md. Anisur Rahman said, “I have just heard about Piranmha. I came here some days ago. I will take steps soon”.