Hyderabad: In a rare incident, a fisherman caught a red-bellied piranha in the Sangambanda gravity canal in Telangana on Wednesday. The fish, known for its razor-sharp teeth and aggressive feeding behaviour, belongs to the South American piranha species.
According to officials, Mamilla Balaswamy, a local fisherman, found the unusual fish trapped in his net. Fisheries Department officers later identified it as a red-bellied pacu piranha, an exotic species rarely seen in Indian waters.
Red-bellied piranha spotted in Telangana canal
Experts explained that this species feeds on aquatic plants, fruits, seeds, and decaying animal matter. Because of its strong teeth and omnivorous diet, authorities banned its cultivation in reservoirs to protect native fish species.
They added that this fish usually inhabits the Amazon Basin in South America. The fish’s bright red patch on its lower body gives it its name. In some local markets, fishermen call it the “Roopchand” fish, though the two species differ biologically.
Weighing over a kilogram, the rare catch has drawn attention from locals and fish enthusiasts. Fishermen said such fish could fetch high prices in certain markets because of their rarity.
