Nepal floods bring strange fish to Bihar, govt warns against eating or selling it; consumption may cause vomiting, diarrhoea

The Bihar government has issued a health advisory after unusual-looking fish were found in flood-affected parts of the Gandak basin, with residents of West Champaran and Gopalganj being told not to eat, buy or sell such fish until their identity and safety are established.

The warning comes as floodwaters from Nepal continue to flow into the Gandak river system, inundating several areas of northern Bihar. Fisheries officials said the flooding may have carried fish from rivers, ponds and other water bodies into unfamiliar locations, including low-lying areas and flooded local water bodies. The state fisheries division under the Department of Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources issued the advisory on Tuesday.

Why the government has issued the warning

Officials have cautioned that fish swept away by floodwaters can travel long distances and may pass through polluted water before reaching residential areas or local ponds. Such waters can contain sewage, contaminated drains, dead animals and other pollutants. Fish exposed to these conditions could potentially carry harmful bacteria, viruses or fungi, officials said.


The department has therefore asked people to avoid consuming any fish they cannot identify with certainty. The advisory also warns residents against assuming that an unfamiliar fish is safe simply because it looks similar to a species that is commonly eaten.

Until the authorities establish the identity of the fish and confirm that it is suitable for consumption, people have been advised to keep away from it.

Health warning for residents

The government has also asked people to remain alert for possible symptoms after eating fish caught from flood-hit areas. Anyone who develops vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or difficulty breathing after consuming such fish should seek medical attention immediately, according to the advisory.

The warning applies not only to consumption but also to the purchase and sale of unidentified fish recovered from floodwaters.

Nepal flood strange fish: What's the strange fish that is leading to health issues?

Wildlife Trust of India director Sameer Kumar Sinha said most of the unusual fish being reported from the Gandak following the Nepal floods are believed to be Bagarius bagarius, commonly known as the goonch catfish. It is also locally called “Gochita”.

The freshwater species is native to fast-flowing rivers in India, Nepal and parts of Southeast Asia. It is a carnivorous fish and feeds on smaller fish, crabs and other aquatic creatures.

Goonch catfish are generally found in deeper parts of rivers, particularly around rocky stretches where water currents are strong.

Fish may spoil quickly after death

Sinha said the fish is consumed by some local communities, but warned that it can deteriorate rapidly after dying. That makes proper handling and freshness particularly important. Fish recovered from floodwaters could also have been exposed to polluted surroundings, making caution more important during the ongoing flooding.

He urged residents to follow the state government's advisory rather than taking a risk with fish they cannot identify. The goonch catfish is also classified as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

For now, authorities have asked residents in the affected districts to leave unfamiliar fish alone until their identity and safety are confirmed.