BETTIAH: Unidentified and unusual fish swept into the Gandak river and its floodplains by floodwaters from Nepal have prompted the Bihar govt to issue a safety advisory, asking residents of West Champaran and Gopalganj not to consume or trade in such fish until their identity and safety are confirmed.The fisheries division of the dairy, fisheries and animal resources department issued the caution on Tuesday after unusual fish were found in local water bodies and low-lying areas across the flood-hit Gandak basin.Floodwaters from Nepal have entered the Gandak system, inundating several areas of West Champaran and Gopalganj. The department said fish can be swept away from ponds, rivers and other water bodies during floods and carried over considerable distances. During this movement, they may come into contact with contaminated drains, dead animals and other pollutants, raising the risk of contamination by bacteria, viruses and fungi.“Do not consume any unidentified or unusual-looking fish. Until confirmation by the concerned department, an unfamiliar fish should not be considered fit for consumption,” the advisory said.Residents have also been asked not to buy or sell unfamiliar fish caught from floodwaters or assume an unusual-looking species is safe merely because it resembles a commonly eaten fish. Anyone developing vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulty after consuming such fish has been advised to seek immediate medical attention.Wildlife Trust of India director Sameer Kumar Sinha said most fish swept into the Gandak in Bihar following the Nepal floods are believed to be ‘Bagarius bagarius’, commonly known as the goonch catfish and locally called “Gochita”.
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He said the large freshwater catfish is found in fast-flowing rivers of India, Nepal and parts of Southeast Asia. The carnivorous species feeds on smaller fish, crabs and other aquatic organisms and often hides among rocks in deep stretches with strong currents.Sinha said local communities consume the fish, but it spoils quickly after death and may pose health risks if eaten after deterioration. He urged people to follow the Bihar govt advisory and exercise caution. The species is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as threatened.
