Tuesday June 23, 2009
I REFER to the report "Did giant arapaima cause duo to drown?" (The Star, June 19). From my research on the Net and the opinion of my brothers in the Malaysian fishing forum (www.fishing.net.my), I have concluded that such an incident is not possible.The arapaima is an Amazonian fish that occurs naturally in South America.
It is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world and can grow up to 2.5m long and weigh over 100kg. Because of the ornamental fish trade, this fish can find its way here as I have seen it in countless aquarium shops.
Were there any bite marks on the deceased when his body was recovered?
What kind of injuries did he sustain?
Without this information, how can they conclude that the arapaima killed the men?
Even if there was an arapaima in Tasik Kenyir, the fish will have plentiful supply of freshwater fishes to prey on. Why must it start to behave aggressively towards human beings as stated in the report?
Arapaimas are predators that do not have real "teeth".
They eat their prey by suction.
During the process, a huge amount of water passes through their gills, which is similar to the siakap's feeding process.
I had seen this when they were feeding the arapaima at the zoo.
The article is going to cause unnecessary fear among the people staying around Tasik Kenyir. The lake is also the home of ikan tapah, which is the largest freshwater fish in Malaysia.
This fish can grow up to 2.4m long and is known to feed on dogs and monkeys in the Pahang river basin.
With this huge fish as a natural resident of Tasik Kenyir, why isn't it blamed for the deaths?
SHATHA PRKHASH,
Batu Caves, Selangor.
This opinion was taken from: The Star Online: News: Opinion 23 June 2009
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment