Jakarta Eradicates 6.98 Tons of Invasive Suckerfish

Jakarta authorities have captured and culled 68,880 sailfin catfish weighing 6.98 tons across five regions in a single day as part of efforts to control the invasive species’ population, which has exceeded 60% of the city’s aquatic ecosystems.

The operation, conducted on Friday, April 17, 2026, involved simultaneous captures in South, East, Central, North, and West Jakarta. South Jakarta recorded the highest catch with 63,600 individuals weighing 5.3 tons, primarily from the Pintu Air Outlet Setu Babakan area in Srengseng Sawah Ward, Jagakarsa Subdistrict.

East Jakarta contributed 4,128 fish weighing 825.5 kg from 10 subdistrict points, while Central Jakarta accounted for 536 individuals weighing 565 kg across seven subdistrict locations. North Jakarta secured 545 fish weighing 271 kg from the connecting channel of RW 06 in Kelapa Gading Barat Ward, Kelapa Gading Subdistrict, and West Jakarta captured 71 fish weighing 17 kg in Kali Anak TSI, Duri Kosambi Ward, Cengkareng Subdistrict.

Based on the collected data, the total number of sailfin catfish captured reached 68,880 individuals weighing around 6.98 tons.

Hasudungan A Sidabalok, Head of the Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Office (KPKP) of DKI Jakarta

The area with the largest catch was South Jakarta (Jaksel), namely 63,600 individuals weighing 5.3 tons.

Hasudungan A Sidabalok

This operation is part of efforts to control the sailfin catfish population, which is considered damaging to aquatic ecosystems. In the future, similar activities are planned to be carried out periodically to maintain environmental balance in the Jakarta area.

Hasudungan A Sidabalok

Sailfin Catfish Population in Jakarta Exceeds 60% DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung revealed the sailfin catfish population in Jakarta’s waters. Pramono stated that the number of this invasive fish has exceeded more than 60%….

Jakarta Provincial Government

Ikan ini sangat-sangat invasif, kemudian juga membuat ikan-ikan lain yang ada di tempat itu, terutama endemik lokal itu hampir semuanya kemudian tidak bisa survive.

Pramono Anung, DKI Jakarta Governor

Tindakan ini bukan sekedar seremoni, melainkan upaya serius untuk memutus rantai dominasi spesies yang merusak dinding sungai tersebut.

Pramono Anung

Pemprov DKI Jakarta tangkap 68.880 ekor (6,98 ton) ikan sapu-sapu di 5 wilayah. Ikan tersebut akan dikubur karena mengandung residu logam berbahaya dan merusak ekosistem lokal.

Suara.com

The sailfin catfish, also known as suckermouth catfish or plecostomus and locally referred to as “ikan sapu-sapu,” is native to South America and has become highly invasive in Jakarta’s waterways. Authorities describe the species as highly adaptable and resilient, capable of disrupting local ecosystems by preying on native fish, consuming their food supply, and damaging riverbanks through burrowing activities.

This fish comes from South America, is very resilient, and has become a predator for local fish. It consumes their food supply and damages embankments by burrowing.

Pramono Anung

The Jakarta Provincial Government has emphasized that the eradication efforts are not ceremonial but a serious measure to break the dominance of this invasive species, which threatens the survival of local endemic fish populations. Officials have confirmed that captured fish will be buried due to hazardous metal residue content and their detrimental impact on local ecosystems.

Authorities have indicated that similar population control operations will be conducted periodically to maintain environmental balance in Jakarta’s waterways, with the governor pledging to hold special meetings involving all city mayors except those from the Thousand Islands district to address the growing crisis.