PATNA: Unidentified fish swept into the Gandak basin have prompted a Bihar govt advisory, while experts say the fish, believed to be goonch catfish, can spoil quickly after death and may pose health risks if consumed after deterioration.Unusual fish trigger Bihar govt advisoryUnidentified 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 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.Why are experts warning against eating the fish?According to the department, fish carried by floodwaters may come into contact with contaminated drains, dead animals and other pollutants. This can raise the risk of contamination by bacteria, viruses and fungi.The advisory urged residents not to consume any unidentified or unusual-looking fish until their identity and safety are confirmed. People have also been asked not to buy or sell unfamiliar fish caught from floodwaters or assume that an unusual-looking species is safe simply because it resembles a commonly eaten fish.Anyone experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulty after consuming such fish has been advised to seek immediate medical attention.Fish believed to be goonch catfishWildlife 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”.The large freshwater catfish is found in fast-flowing rivers of India, Nepal and parts of Southeast Asia. It is a carnivorous species that feeds on smaller fish, crabs and other aquatic organisms and often hides among rocks in deep stretches with strong currents.Why does the fish spoil quickly?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, particularly because fish swept through floodwaters may have been exposed to contaminants before being caught.The species is listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
