The arapaima is known as one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. It can grow up to 4.6 metres long and weigh up to 200kg.
Due to its sheer size, it can be extremely difficult for humans to capture, as it also has the potential to injure humans.
Recently, five officers from the Malaysian Fisheries Department were injured by a giant arapaima fish during a capture operation on Friday (Oct 11).
According to Sinar Harian, the seven-hour operation, which involved team members from both Melaka and Selangor, faced challenges due to the aggressive nature of the fish.
The department director-general, Datuk Adnan Hussain, said that the officers, aged 35 to 59, suffered shortness of breath and swollen knees, with two of them being rushed to Alor Gajah Hospital.
Despite the challenge, the team successfully captured three arapaima, each weighing approximately 200kg and measuring about 2.7m in length.
Adnan said that the fish had been kept in a water tank beneath an unused building and fed by locals who were unaware that keeping arapaima was illegal.
Following the realisation, the owner voluntarily surrendered the fish, which have now been transferred to Zoo Negara.
We wish the officers a speedy recovery.
