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SCMP Reporter

Unwanted pet piranhas should be disposed off through an approved euthanasia service rather than abandoned in public ponds or flushed down toilets, a fisheries spokesman said yesterday.

The warning comes after a 14-year-old boy suffered finger injuries when he was bitten by a piranha he was trying to catch in a Lam Tin public pond on Monday at Ping Tin Estate.

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said yesterday there was no intention to launch a  search for more dumped piranhas.

'But should there be another accident, we will trace the owners,' he said, adding pet owners should take responsibility for disposing of unwanted pets.

'Our obligation is to remind them they should not abandon the fish carelessly.'

He added that euthanasia for  unwanted animals was available at the Animal Management Centre of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

'If pet owners have to abandon their piranhas, we can offer euthanasia,' said the spokesman.

Mongkok aquarium shop owners were also encouraging proper caution and disposal of the flesh-eating fish yesterday.

Marius Ma's shop Max Aquarium, and other pet fish shops in Tung Choi Street, carry warning labels on their fish tanks: 'Watch out for the dangerous fish! We'll not be responsible for any injuries.'

'A friend of mine had one of his finger joints bitten off when he was feeding his pet piranha,' Mr Ma said.

'And on one occasion, I forgot to feed the piranhas one night, and I woke up in the morning to find a piranha head floating in my tank. It had been eaten by its hungry mates.'

Piranhas are common in the many  shops in the street -  small ones selling for about $45 each and adults  for more than $200.

According to aquarium owners, the fish have been available in Hong Kong for more than 10 years.



Experts urge caution in disposing of unwanted pet piranhas