KDM: Dominance of Plecostomus Fish in Rivers Indicates Water Pollution
Governor of West Java Dedi Mulyadi, familiarly known as KDM, assesses that the high population of plecostomus fish in various regions is not merely a common natural phenomenon. He describes the condition as a biological indicator signalling that the quality of river water has been polluted.
According to Dedi, the dominance of this algae-eating species serves as a signal of disruption to the aquatic ecosystem balance. Plecostomus fish are deemed capable of surviving in environments with poor water quality, while other endemic fish are unable to adapt.
“So if the river experiences a decline in quality, only plecostomus will survive. Wherever there is polluted water, plecostomus will dominate,” said Dedi in Bandung, quoted by Antara.
He emphasised that the adaptive ability of plecostomus in polluted waters creates a habitat monopoly that has a detrimental impact on the survival of local species. In such conditions, endemic fish lose their living space and are outcompeted.
Therefore, Dedi encourages concrete actions by inviting the public to catch plecostomus fish in various areas. According to him, such efforts are necessary to curb the dominance of this species.
“Plecostomus for all regions, just take them, catch them. Plecostomus grow when the river has already experienced a decline in quality,” he stated.
Nevertheless, he reminded that catching plecostomus alone is not sufficient to resolve the issue permanently. Improving river water quality remains the primary key to restoring the ecosystem.
Dedi explained that there are two steps that must be taken simultaneously. First, reducing the plecostomus population through capture. Second, improving water quality so that endemic fish can live and thrive again.
“If you want to eliminate plecostomus, there are two things. First, the plecostomus must be removed. Second, the water quality must be improved so that the endemic fish can live again,” he said.
Amid environmental degradation challenges, Dedi appreciates the initiatives of West Java communities who are beginning to take self-reliant actions. In several regions, residents have carried out plecostomus captures as an effort to suppress their population.
“If so far plecostomus have already been taken by West Java residents,” he added.
He hopes that an integrated handling approach combining species control and water quality restoration can become a solution to save West Java’s rivers from the threat of ecosystem damage and loss of local biodiversity.