DUBAI // Demand from collectors was encouraging pet shops to import and sell piranhas, the municipality said yesterday as it reaffirmed its ban on the sale of the fish in the emirate.
During raids on pet shops on Sunday, officials seized Dh2,000 (US$545) worth of red-bellied piranhas, the most popular species. They did not specify a number, but the fish have been selling for Dh60 and up.
The fish are to be given to aquariums for display.
"We slapped fines of Dh500 on at least three shops for keeping this fish," said Essam Sharaf, the head of veterinary services at Dubai Municipality's public health services department.
Several other shops had been let off with warnings.
For reasons that were unclear, piranhas had grown in popularity in recent months, Mr Sharaf said. "We learn that people ask for this fish at shops from time to time. They are rarely on display but were found to be sold at some shops."
The fish, which are native to South American rivers, were banned from Dubai's pet trade, he said, because of their dangerous carnivorous nature.
Piranhas have a bulldog-like face with a large lower jaw and sharp, tightly packed triangular teeth.
"Just as tigers and monkeys are not allowed to be sold here, piranha is also considered dangerous. However, some people try to sell them illegally," Mr Sharaf said.
Meanwhile, staff at several pet shops said the selling of piranhas was a common practice.
One pet shop worker said that others would not say whether they had the fish in stock because they feared being raided.
Piranhas "are available, but right now they may not be as easy to come by because of the recent raids".
He said he knew of a shop that had displayed a piranha and had been selling the fish for Dh60 about three weeks ago.
"Bigger ones can be sold for Dh100. They can be bought in the black market here, and the sellers here in Dubai are getting them from Sharjah and Al Ain," he added.
"But you can get whatever you want on the black market, from tigers to snakes. You name it, somebody will be able to get them for you."
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
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