Considered a Pest, Red Devil Fish in Lake Batur Still Holds Value

The red devil fish (Amphilophus labiatus) was initially thought to be an ornamental fish by residents of Abang Batudinding Village, Songan Village, and other villages along the shores of Lake Batur, Bangli, Bali. Later, residents finally realised that the freshwater fish is a pest.

Even so, the red devil fish is not always detrimental. I Wayan Eskayasa is one of 30 residents of Banjar Dukuh, Batudinding Village, Trunyan Village, and other villages around Lake Batur, who actually earn money from the pest fish.

About three days ago, Eskayasa received an order for red fish from the town of Muncar, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. The order of 1 tonne 700 kilograms (kg) of red devil fish was collected and sold by 30 other residents to Banyuwangi.

“I was the one who made the video on social media. About three days ago during the day. It was transported using a truck, we got 1 tonne 700 kg,” said Eskayasa when met by detikBali at his home on Sunday (6/9/2026).

Eskayasa said he serves as the commander. Besides also fulfilling orders for red devil fish, he also helps weigh and calculate the price of the red devil fish.

The price of the pest fish from Central America is set at Rp 2,500 per kg. With a catch of 1 tonne 700 kg, Rp 4.2 million was obtained and distributed to residents who caught the red fish.

“So from the lake shore, it is transported to Trunyan Main Road. Then, there, it is loaded into an ice truck. Already dead and frozen. Then, it is taken to Penelokan Main Road,” said Eskayasa.

“There, the money is transferred from the boss in Kedonganan Village, Badung Regency,” he added.

Eskayasa said the red devil fish is sent from Penelokan Main Road directly to Banyuwangi, already frozen. He admitted he does not accept orders for red devil fish in a live state.

“If it is still alive, it is not allowed, because cultivating red fish is prohibited,” he said.

Eskayasa admitted he receives many orders from outside Bali. Some orders for red devil fish come from Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Lombok.

However, he is still reluctant to serve orders for red devil fish outside Bali other than Banyuwangi. Meanwhile, in Bali, many orders come from Serangan Island, Denpasar, and Negara, Jembrana Regency.

“If orders go outside Bali other than to Banyuwangi, it is a bit troublesome. So, I only accept orders for Banyuwangi for now,” he said.

Having dealt with red devil fish for some time, Eskayasa admitted he once commanded a shipment of 6 tonnes. Meanwhile, he himself has only been able to fulfil orders of 300 kg.

At the destination, the fish is used for various purposes. In Serangan, the red devil fish meat is used as feed for lobsters and groupers.

“In Negara, it is used to make fish meal. It can also be eaten. Usually made into satay lilit or fried. It is not dangerous, in fact its protein is high. There has been research from Undiksha, Udayana University, and Warmadewa University,” he said.

Wayan Ruspa, a resident of Banjar Dinas Dukuh, Abang Batudinding Village, said red devil fish meat is only consumed at certain times. When processed into satay lilit, red devil fish is only served during Hindu religious holidays.

“Usually made into satay lilit during holidays, processed into meatballs, or fried, it is delicious. If grilled, it tastes bland,” said Ruspa.

Ruspa explained that the red devil fish was originally released by someone around 2019. At first, residents thought it was an ornamental fish.

“It turned out to be a predatory fish. Its population has become too large. It usually gathers at the cages when residents are about to feed their tilapia,” he said.

The Head of the Fisheries Division of the Bangli Livestock and Food Security Agency, I Wayan Agus Wirawan, said the red devil fish population is recorded at 29,932 kg. The record was obtained from residents’ catches over 7 years.

“The population of red devil fish, or wild predatory fish, is difficult to count. The red devil catch by fishers according to the latest record is 29,932 kg,” said Agus.

Agus said the utilisation of the devil fish is still limited and its cultivation is still prohibited. Because it is detrimental, efforts to eliminate the fish have been carried out by the Bangli Regency government.

“Handling has been carried out through eradication. Red devil fish catching facilitated by the Bali Marine and Fisheries Agency, the Bangli PKP Agency, and red devil fish catching in Terunyan Village to Abangsongan Village,” he said.