Reports of sightings of piranhas on sale in some pet shops in Pudu is indeed worrisome. It is shocking that some pet shops have cashed in on the demand of consumers for the exotics.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is totally appalled at the lack of monitoring over pet shops in the country that lead to reports of sale of the flesh eating fish, highlighted in the local Chinese and English dailies.

To SAM's understanding, piranhas are banned in Malaysia. How did these man-eaters end up in our pet shops in the city? Which department is responsible for issuing the import licences in the first place? Considering that no licences were granted, how did it pass through the customs and excise department?

Found naturally in the waters of South America and Guyana, it is illegal to import or export them in many countries. To an inexperienced aquarist, taking on a piranha would be disastrous. These are dangerously aggressive fish. Though individual fish are less aggressive than those that live in schools, they will still attack if distressed or frightened. Because of the lack of socialisation, piranhas raised as single fish cannot be added to a group at a later time.

There are special concerns that need to be addressed. Because of their high protein diet being meat-eaters with a preference for live prey, piranhas produce a lot of waste products, which can easily foul the water tank. Ammonia is a breakdown product metabolism so this is a concern.

The other major concern is when these fish are released into the wild, they are likely to breed and wipe out native fish and pose a danger to people, particularly children. Once the fish are allowed into the river, they will wreak havoc on the local environment.

Recently introduced into Vietnamese waters, environmentalists are now warning fish farmers along the Dong Nai River in the south to curb the import of this carnivores as they have become a menace to their local waters. There have been calls to ban the import and breeding of piranhas in Vietnam fearing they may escape from local farms into the river during the flood season.

It is time that aquarium shops be monitored closely by the Agriculture Ministry to ensure that non-native alien species do not enter the country. Similarly the customs and excise department should be vigilant enough to spot the exotics failing which they should enlist the assistance of the respective departments.

Finally awareness campaign should be conducted with the involvement of the wildlife department, state veterinary services, fisheries department and NGOs to educate consumers on the need to curb their demand for the exotics.