Nearly 7 Tonnes of Janitor Fish Eradicated in Jakarta, Dangerous if Consumed
The Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI Jakarta) continues efforts to control the population of janitor fish. In a single day, officials successfully captured 68,800 janitor fish, with a total weight of 6.9 tonnes, which are set to be destroyed immediately.
“Based on the data collected, the total number of janitor fish captured reached 68,880 specimens weighing approximately 6.98 tonnes,” said Hasudungan A. Sidabalok, Head of the DKI Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture Agency (KPKP), when contacted on Friday (17/4/2026).
The 68,000 janitor fish were captured in five areas of DKI Jakarta. The highest numbers were from South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and Central Jakarta.
In South Jakarta (Jaksel), 63,600 fish weighing 5.3 tonnes were captured in the Pintu Air Outlet Setu Babakan area, Srengseng Sawah Ward, Jagakarsa Subdistrict.
In East Jakarta (Jaktim), 4,128 fish weighing 825.5 kg were captured from 10 subdistrict locations. Meanwhile, in Central Jakarta (Jakpus), officials captured 536 fish weighing 565 kg from seven subdistrict locations.
In North Jakarta (Jakut), 545 fish weighing 271 kg were captured in the connecting channel of RW 06, Kelapa Gading Barat Ward, Kelapa Gading Subdistrict.
“Whereas in West Jakarta, 71 fish weighing 17 kg were captured in Kali Anak TSI, Duri Kosambi Ward, Cengkareng Subdistrict,” he explained.
This janitor fish capture operation is part of the Pemprov DKI Jakarta’s efforts to control the population of the fish known to damage aquatic ecosystems. In the future, similar activities will continue periodically to maintain environmental balance in the Jakarta area.
DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the janitor fish population in Jakarta’s waters has exceeded 60%. Pramono emphasised that janitor fish are dangerous if consumed due to high residue levels in their bodies.
“The average residue level is above 0.3. That is extremely dangerous if consumed,” he stressed, during an inspection of the janitor fish capture in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Friday (17/4).