‘Avoid Eating Or Selling’: Bihar Warns After ‘Unusual-Looking’ Fish Washed In By Nepal Floods

Last Updated:September 02, 2026, 06:11 IST

The advisory urges residents not to buy, sell or eat fish caught from floodwaters until they are properly identified and declared safe.

The advisory was issued by the Fisheries Division of the Department of Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources on Monday. (Screengrab via X)

The Bihar government has issued a health advisory asking people to avoid eating, buying or selling unidentified or “unusual-looking” fish washed into parts of the state by floodwaters from Nepal.

The advisory was issued by the Fisheries Division of the Department of Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources on Monday after reports that some people had fallen ill after consuming such fish.

Officials said floods can sweep fish out of ponds, rivers, lakes and other water bodies and carry them over long distances. During this process, the fish may come into contact with polluted drains, dead animals and other contaminated material, increasing the risk of exposure to bacteria, viruses and fungi.

The department has urged people not to treat unfamiliar fish as safe for consumption unless they have been properly identified and cleared by the concerned authorities.

‘Do Not Consume’ Warning

The advisory specifically asks residents to avoid fish caught directly from floodwaters and refrain from buying or selling unidentified varieties.

People who develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulties after eating such fish have been advised to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health centre or hospital.

Residents have also been asked to report sightings of unusual fish to their district fisheries officer or local administration. The department urged people not to believe rumours circulating on social media and to prioritise safety.

Massive Catfish Sightings Go Viral

The warning came after unidentified fish were reported in the Gandak River and its floodplains following heavy flooding linked to waters flowing from Nepal. Videos showing unusually large catfish have gone viral on social media in recent days.

Wildlife Trust of India director Sameer Kumar Sinha told The Times of India that most of the fish appearing in the Gandak are believed to be Bagarius bagarius, commonly known as the goonch catfish and locally called “Gochita”.

The large freshwater species is found in fast-flowing rivers across India, Nepal and parts of Southeast Asia. It is carnivorous, feeding on smaller fish, crabs and other aquatic organisms, and is often found among rocks in deep, fast-moving stretches of rivers.

Sinha said the fish is consumed by local communities but can spoil quickly after death, potentially creating health risks if it deteriorates before being eaten. He urged people to follow the government advisory and exercise caution.

The goonch catfish is listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

What are the long-term health risks of consuming contaminated fish?

Repeated, long-term exposure from regularly consuming fish from contaminated water bodies can cause adverse effects on the nervous system.

Powered by

Ask News18

About the Author

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, …Read More

Read More