(HK) Monster exotic fish found in ponds

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Monster exotic fish found in Hong Kong ponds

AFP 5 September 2009, 11:11am IST

 

HONG KONG: Hong Kong has launched a search of ponds in public parks after at

least 16 fish of an exotic species that can grow up to three metres (10 feet)

long were discovered, apparently dumped by their owners when they grew too big.

 

A metre-long alligator gar was caught Friday in a park pond after reports that

visitors feared for their safety, the South China Morning Post reported on

Saturday.

 

The fierce-looking creatures get their name from their long snout, which

resembles that of an alligator. While they are an aggressive and carnivorous

species, they are not known to attacks humans.

 

Native to North America, alligator gars are commonly sold in Hong Kong for home

aquariums when they are less than 30 centimetres (one foot) long but can grow to

three metres and weigh up to 140 kilograms (300 pounds).

 

Another 15 of the fish had been found in ponds and lakes at other parks across

Hong Kong, the Post said.

 

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said in a statement late Friday the

species had no conservation value and would affect the local ecology if released

into the wild.

 

" Staff will clean the lakes regularly. Dangerous fishes will be removed when

they are found, " it said.

 

It said it would offer non-dangerous fish to animal welfare groups and charities

if they were willing to take them.

 

The fish caught Friday died later that day.

 

The department warned that people who dumped unwanted pet fish in public parks

risked a 2,000-dollar (260-US dollar) fine and two weeks in jail.