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PIRANHA, advertisement & technical reporting

Akhter, 23 September, 2007:

A view on the selling of Piranha in the market of Dhaka is signthed in the 9 th issue of Bangladeshmoves. We hoped that the respective Ministry would pay attention to this issue; unfortunately, no reaction from the Ministry had yet been recovered .Moreover, when we tried to visit the website of the Bangladesh Ministry of Fisheries through www.bangladesh.gov.bd , only ‘error found' while I tried to log on. So I was frustrated with the role of the respective Ministry. On the other hand, an advertisement in the Daily Prothom Alo on 12 th September, 2007 (Metropolitan edition, pp.5) caught our attention with the statement of Bangladesh Private Fish hatchery Owner's Association .It claimed that some quarters are bewildering against the selling of the fish Red Ballied Pacu (They provided its scientific name Colossoma macropomum .They also claimed that the fish is bewildered as ‘Piranha'. They claimed the Red Bellied Pacu as the Thai Rupchanda are sweet tasted and safe to culture:

In support to it they provided a web site :

www.fishing-khaolak.com/fish_species/freshwater_species/red_bellied_pacu.html

We visited the website and it presumed a non academic and for the audience, habituated for hunting. The website provides the opinion about the fish:

“Fishing Khao Lak's Comment:
Very similar looking to Pirahna, but not actually the same species.
It has a mouthful of large, almost human looking teeth.
A very quick growing fish that gives a very good account for itself when hooked.”

Then we searched the most academic website: WIKIPEDIA (F:\Piranha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm), ( F:\Pacu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm) .

The assessment of that site in relation to Piranha and Pacu differs with the opinion of the Association.

The article on Pacu confirmed Pacu's close relation with Piranha. Remarks in F:\Pacu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm likely :

“Pacu ( IPA : [pa ' ku] ) is a common name used to refer to several species of South American freshwater fish that are closely related to the piranha . They are mainly herbivores , but will also eat small fish, insects, and meat on fishing lures [1] (see omnivorous ). Their teeth, which may resemble human teeth, are used to cut through vegetation and crush seeds that fall into the water. Pacu and piranha are distinguished from each other by their teeth and jaw alignments; piranha have pointed, razor-sharp teeth in a pronounced underbite , whereas pacu have square, straight teeth in a less severe under bite, or a slight overbite . [2] Additionally, full-grown pacu are much larger than piranha.”

Pacu is kept in aquarium and its less ferocity is evident ,yet , the findings suggest in ( F:\Pacu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm ) :

“However, the fish are a poor choice for the typical hobbyist . While they are not aggressive carnivores like the piranha, their crushing jaw system, used primarily for eating seeds and nuts, can be hazardous . One toddler needed surgery after a pacu (misreported as a piranha) bit her finger at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World in Scotland . Commenting on the incident, Deep Sea World zoological manager Matthew Kane warned, "Pacus will eat anything, even children's wiggling fingers . "

More over the site ( F:\Piranha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm ) claimed that according to the research up to 2003 there were 38 or 39 species of Piranha were found .And it is less acceptable that a fish like Pacu resembles to its dorsal, elongated anal fin, immatured adipose fin, straight end caudal fin, off pelvic fin, reddish /brownish bellies, terminally located mouth and teeth it is as risky as Piranha .While the GOB inspire to cultivate the local species those are very demanding as well should be encouraged .It is recommendation to GOB to stop its import and massive cultivation to avoid the awful experience of African catfish (African Magur) .

We also request to Anti-corruption Commission,Bangladesh to investigate why a through study did not get priority by the Ministry of Fisheries as the issue was closely related to the national economic interest .