8yo catches piranha in Pennsylvania lake

An 8-year-old boy, Seamus Coffey, caught a piranha while fishing with his father in a lake near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission confirmed the identification of the fish as a species of piranha.

The piranha was likely released into the lake by someone who owned it as an exotic pet. According to Mike Parker, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the piranha would not have survived in the lake for very long due to being out of its natural habitat.

Seamus Coffey's father, Michael Coffey, disposed of the fish humanely after the catch. Seamus identified the fish as a piranha because he watches YouTube, and his quick thinking helped prevent any potential harm to local wildlife.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission warned against releasing exotic pets into the wild, citing the devastating impact it can have on local wildlife. Mike Parker emphasized that owning exotic pets is a lifelong responsibility, requiring special care, habitat, and food, and that releasing them into the wild is not a solution.

## Why it matters The incident highlights the issue of exotic pets being released into local waterways, which can have severe consequences for the environment and native species. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's warning serves as a reminder to pet owners to take responsibility for their exotic pets and to dispose of them humanely if they can no longer care for them.

The catch also underscores the importance of education and awareness about the risks associated with releasing non-native species into the wild. By disposing of the piranha humanely, the Coffeys set an example for responsible pet ownership and helped prevent any potential harm to the local ecosystem.