Eight-year-old catches piranha in Pennsylvania lake
An eight-year-old boy fishing in a Pennsylvania lake caught a red-bellied piranha, a species typically found in South America. Officials confirmed the identification and suspect the exotic pet was released into the wild.
Key takeaways
- An eight-year-old boy caught a red-bellied piranha in a lake in Pennsylvania.
- The boy identified the fish by watching YouTube.
- Wildlife officials confirmed the piranha's identity and suspect it was an escaped or released exotic pet.
- Officials warned that releasing exotic pets can harm local ecosystems and the animals themselves.
An eight-year-old boy discovered an exotic red-bellied piranha while fishing in a Pennsylvania lake. Seamus Coffey was angling for bass with his father, Michael, near Philadelphia when he reeled in the fish, noted for its sharp teeth.
Seamus identified the species himself, attributing his knowledge to watching YouTube. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission later confirmed the identification, with spokesperson Mike Parker stating that agency biologists verified it as a type of piranha.
Officials believe the fish was likely released into the lake by an owner who no longer wanted it as an exotic pet. Parker emphasized that releasing such animals into local waters can severely harm native wildlife and is detrimental to the exotic species itself.
The Coffey family did not return the piranha to the lake and ensured it was humanely disposed of.
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