Piranhas found in Manchester pond


Experts say the piranha's fearsome reputation is exaggerated
Two dead piranhas have been found in a pond in Middleton, Greater Manchester, environmental officers have revealed.
The flesh-eating fish were netted by a local fisherman at the Rhodes Lodge pond in Middleton.

Environment Agency officers believe the piranhas were put in the water as live bait to lure other fish.

"Putting tropical fish in lakes and ponds is not only illegal but extremely cruel," said the agency's tropical fish specialist Bernie Chappel.

"The water would have been far too cold and the fish would have suffered a slow death."

£2,500 fine

Introducing non-native species of fish into UK waters without authorisation from the Environment Agency is illegal because it can damage the country's natural fish stocks.

The ban even extends to goldfish.

If those responsible for the piranha's presence in the pond are caught, they face a fine of up to £2,500.

The Agency has appealed for anyone who knows who owned the fish to contact them.

Although piranhas are supposedly capable of stripping the carcass of an animal within minutes, experts believe their fearsome reputation is exaggerated.

The species cannot survive in temperatures below 15C


Saw this and thought it might be of interest
judy

Interesting to see the EA allegedly saying they were possibly used as "live bait". I'd be very interested to meet the "EA Official", who was of that opinion.

Surely, if the EA were to make more effort to stop joe public releasing Goldfish, Koi etc into our waterways, it would be more constructive. Rather than use a couple of DEAD tropical fish, to beat anglers over the head over the livebait issue.

No doubt Phil Hackett might like to have a word on this subject, hopefully he's watching.

yeah, i've often thought about using piranas for livebait myself, might try and get hold of some for the pike fish in!

Yeagh most winter days sees me driving around with a bucket of pirahnas in the back of the car.Great live bait Ive caught loads of 40's on them....well they would have been 40's but by the time Ive landed them the baits have eat 3/4 of them!
Yes I would like to meet the EA guy too I bet he has some wonderfull stories to tell.
And some of you out there still dont challenge what these so clued up people in the EA have to say about live baits full stop? Ah well best go and check how the Mahseer Ive got for Cat baits in my live bait tanks are doing.........