Harmful catfish found at BAU

Bangladesh has risen to the third position in the world in the fisheries industry. A large quantity of fish is produced in Bangladesh every year. Farmed fish is a big part of the fishing industry.

Moreover, large freshwater reservoirs are one of the resources of fish. But this part of the fishing industry is likely to suffer in the future. Because harmful catfish are often seen in those reservoirs now.

The full name is Sakar Mouth Catfish. Many people know it as sakar fish with the scientific name- Hippostomas Plecostomas. This harmful fish of foreign species cultivated in aquariums is now always seen in the reservoirs of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). No one can give accurate information about how this fast-breeding fish came to the water bodies.

Sakar fish eat aquatic insects and algae as well as small fish and fish egg. Moreover, the fins of Sakar fish are very sharp. It can be seen that while fighting with other fish, sharp fins easily cause wounds on the body of other fish and later they die due to rot. Although the sakar fish is not a giant species, it eats a lot of food.

There is intense competition with other fish for food supply. Most of the time native species of fish cannot survive the competition and gradually become extinct from the reservoir.

It is learned that fish farmers in Myanmar and UAE have suffered huge losses due to the impact of Sakar fish. This fish was first seen in the coastal districts of Bangladesh a few years ago.

But now in places like Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur which are far away from the coast, this fish can also be seen there. This fish is now often caught in the reservoirs of BAU.

This fish is now always seen in the Isha-Kha Lake and the surrounding water bodies of the university. Fisheries researchers fear that if it spreads widely, native species of fish will be threatened.

Sakar fish of the species found in Bangladesh are up to 16-17 inches long. The fish can live up to 24 hours without water. The fish farmers complained that the fish had entered their enclosures and reduced production.

Professor of Fisheries Management Dr. Harunur Rashid said the Sakar Mouth Catfish is easily adapted to the new environment and is able to breed quickly.

Many people keep it as an aquarium fish in the beginning but later release it in the pond when the fish grows up. There the fish adapted to the new environment and began to breed.

Since the fish is not delicious to eat, usually no one eats the fish and there is no demand for the fish in the market. There is no research yet on whether there is any health risk in eating the fish.

He also said that, once the fish enters a pond, it is very difficult to prevent its spread. When this fish enters the farming pond, it starts competing with other fish for food and shelter. Even if adequate food is provided from outside, the desired fish production is not available.

On the other hand, cultivated fish cannot survive in competition for food and habitat with squid. Thus the fish farmers face losses.

Atikur Rahman studies at the Bangladesh Agricultural University