Unair Expert Reveals Reasons for Sailfin Catfish Explosion in Jakarta River

The sailfin catfish is no longer just an aquarium cleaner but a real threat to Jakarta’s river ecosystems. During a direct inspection of fish captures in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung expressed his concerns over the population explosion of this South American-origin fish. “The sailfin catfish now dominates the waters in Jakarta. Based on the analysis from the Dinas KPKP, it’s estimated that more than 60 percent of the fish in Jakarta are now sailfin catfish,” said Pramono on Friday (17/4/2026). “This fish is extremely invasive… especially the local endemic ones, almost all of them can’t survive because their eggs are eaten,” he added. Previously reported, the Jakarta Timur City Government netted 763 kilograms of sailfin catfish in 10 sub-districts in its area. The captures were carried out simultaneously at several points in the Jakarta Timur rivers. According to him, this dominance is a reflection of the poor river water quality. “In short, when the river is heavily polluted, other fish die, while the sailfin catfish survives. That’s what makes its population appear to explode,” said Veryl, quoted from the Unair website. He added that this fish has extraordinary resilience to poor environmental conditions, where local fish succumb. In addition to biological threats, the sailfin catfish in Jakarta also carries health risks. Based on reports from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the fish’s body contains dangerous residues with an average level above 0.3. “If consumed, it will be dangerous,” Pramono Anung emphasised. Moreover, the fish’s habit of making holes in river walls for nesting also has the potential to damage embankment infrastructure. “It will damage because in making its home, it always gnaws at the walls and so on.”