Jakarta Cleans Up Janitor Fish, From Fry to Adults Hunted Down

Officers from the Gedong Sub-District PPSU displayed a captured janitor fish after netting it in Kali Baru, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta, on Monday (20/4/2026). The capture of the janitor fish forms part of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s efforts to control this invasive species, deemed a threat to the Capital’s water ecosystems. DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has assured that the janitor fish extermination programme will continue and will not be implemented partially. He is preparing dedicated Public Facilities and Infrastructure Handling (PPSU) officers to keep Jakarta’s water ecosystems under control. Without measured and regular control, the excessive presence of janitor fish is feared to kill off other local aquatic life across all of Jakarta’s river flows. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government plans to involve field experts to adapt handling methods on the ground to remain effective while adhering to regulations and recommended Sharia aspects. This is done to ensure that the environmental policies taken remain aligned with societal values.