Rare fish caught in Chirasrota river draws crowds in Odisha's Sonepur

Sonepur district’s Binika town witnessed a rare catch on Monday when fishermen in the Chirasrota Mahanadi River netted a catfish species weighing around one kilogram. The fish, covered in sharp thorns across its entire body and marked with distinctive black-and-white patterns, quickly became the centre of attention, attracting a large crowd eager to catch a glimpse.

Fishermen Describe The Rare Catch

According to local fishermen, such a fish had never been caught in the area before. “We were fishing in the river when we got this fish. We had never caught such a fish before. We think it might be venomous. This is a rare fish that usually lives in the sea, so a lot of people are coming to see it,” one of the fishermen said.

Local Residents React To Unusual Find

Local resident Swapneswar Dalei described the find as unusual. “This is a new variety of fish and we do not know its name. It is black and white in colour with spikes all over it. The fisheries department will be able to identify the species better, and conservation steps can be taken if it is found to be vulnerable,” he said.

Experts Expected To Examine The Fish

The unexpected appearance of the fish in the river has sparked curiosity among locals, with many hoping that authorities will soon examine the specimen to determine its species and ecological significance.