TEMOLEH: THE FADING GIANT OF THE PERAK RIVER

Once a familiar sight in the murky depths of the Perak River, the temoleh — a majestic freshwater giant revered by anglers and food lovers alike — is now slipping quietly toward extinction.

For generations, the river’s waters in Perak Tengah teemed with this native carp, known for its impressive size and tender flesh. Today, however, sightings have become rare, and those that are caught are noticeably smaller — a worrying sign for fishermen and conservationists.

Also found in the Pahang River, the temoleh or temelian once dominated local catches, often weighing between 20 and 40 kilogrammes (kg). Its decline has left many wondering whether the species can survive the growing pressures of changing river ecosystems.

Along the banks of the Perak River, fishermen recall a time when the temoleh would rise in great numbers near feeding grounds. Now, a good catch is considered a stroke of luck — a faint echo of a more abundant past.

“This area used to be one of the temoleh’s feeding grounds. Back then, catching one that weighed 10 to 20 kg was nothing unusual,” said Mohammad Shahrul Buari when met by Bernama at Kampung Teluk Perang recently.

 TIMING MATTERS FOR THE TEMOLEH

Unlike other freshwater species such as tenggalan, patin or kelabau, which can be caught all year round, the temoleh is a seasonal fish that usually appears between February and April — the period when it swims upstream to spawn.

Drawing from over a decade of experience as an inland fisherman, Mohammad Shahrul explained that the temoleh — scientifically known as Probarbus jullieni — prefers to dwell in the middle of strong river currents, far from the calm shallows or riverbanks.

Fisherman Mohammad Shahrul Buari shows off Temoleh fish he caught from the Perak River here recently.

Because of this, fishermen rely mainly on drift nets to catch the elusive fish, which is known for swimming against the current.

“Unlike other species that move in schools, temoleh usually travel in pairs. The most effective way to catch the larger ones is by setting drift nets across the river at strategic points,” he said.

“This species is also only active during quiet hours — either early in the morning or late at night. So I usually head to the river between midnight and 7 a.m., when the chances of catching one are much higher,” he added.

TOO ELUSIVE FOR THE HOOK

Adding to the challenge, Shahrul explained that the temoleh’s natural diet — mainly small river snails found along the riverbed — makes it difficult to catch using conventional fishing methods.

“The temoleh isn’t an easy fish to hook because of the way it feeds. It tends to suck in its food rather than bite, so it rarely gets caught on the line,” he said.

Temoleh is a seasonal fish that usually appears between February and April when the fish migrates upstream to spawn.

Apart from being a fisherman, Shahrul also acts as a fish middleman, buying catches from other local fishermen — including temoleh, tenggalan, kelabau, baung and several other high-value species — for resale. Despite its rarity, the temoleh remains a top choice among buyers for its exceptional taste.

“The flesh of the temoleh is soft, sweet, and firm — far superior to most other river fish, especially when steamed, curried, or grilled.

 “Most of my customers, particularly from the Chinese community in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Pahang, are willing to travel here just to buy it. They prefer fish weighing five kg or more, as the texture is perfect for steaming,” he shared.

PRICELESS CATCH WITH A PRICE TO MATCH

To keep up with demand, Shahrul has turned to social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to promote his catches. Thanks to this online reach, the temoleh continues to enjoy strong demand — even with prices ranging from RM80 to RM150 per kg, depending on size and grade.

Yet, behind this steady demand lies a troubling reality. Shahrul admits that the future of the temoleh looks increasingly bleak due to the growing threat of invasive species such as the redtail catfish (baung ekor merah), patin lawi, and Mekong catfish.

Fishermen use drift nets as the main method of catching fish that like to go against the current.

“These invasive species are aggressive. A temoleh weighing just four or five kg doesn’t stand a chance against them. I believe that’s one of the reasons why large temoleh are becoming so rare,” he said.

He explained that most of these foreign species are farmed in cages along the Perak River, particularly near Teluk Intan. The problem arises when cages break open, allowing the fish to escape into the river ecosystem.

“There’s nothing wrong with farming non-native fish, but once they escape, they breed rapidly and threaten the river’s native species. There really should be stricter control over this,” he stressed.

SAVING THE TEMOLEH FROM THE BRINK

Concerned about the current situation and the risk of extinction, Shahrul hopes the authorities will take stronger measures to protect the temoleh. He believes more restocking efforts or effective breeding programmes are urgently needed to ensure this valuable species can continue to thrive in the Perak River.

“If no immediate action is taken, I’m afraid one day the temoleh will only exist in stories — and no longer in our rivers,” he said.

This species is also only active in the quiet, either early morning or midnight.

Responding to these concerns, Perak Fisheries Department director Ghazali Manap admitted that the temoleh population in the Perak River is indeed under serious threat.

According to him, recent department data shows a sharp decline in the fish’s landings over the past five years — with only 116.40 kg recorded as of August this year, compared to more than 3,000 kg throughout 2023.

“Conservation and restocking efforts are actively underway to boost the natural population of this species — not only in Perak Tengah, but also in other districts such as Gerik, Kuala Kangsar, Batang Padang, and Muallim,” he said.

“However, these efforts face multiple challenges, including habitat disruption, uncontrolled fishing activities, and threats from invasive fish species,” he added.

 TEMOLEH: RACING AGAINST TIME

To address the growing threat, Ghazali said the department has launched several initiatives, including fishing competitions targeting invasive species. One such event — the Grand Prix Memburu Ikan Asing 2025 — successfully removed more than two metric tonnes of invasive fish from local rivers, with similar contests planned for other areas.

“This is no small threat, which is why we’re involving the community. The role of local fishing groups such as MyKomuniti Nelayan Teluk Perang is crucial in providing information and monitoring river activities,” he explained.

Ghazali also revealed that the department is in the final stages of amending the Perak Fisheries (River) Rules 1992, which will soon list the temoleh as a protected species to prevent uncontrolled fishing.

“If everyone plays their part, we can not only save the temoleh from extinction but also preserve it as a living symbol of the Perak River’s heritage — something we can pass on to future generations,” he said.

For veteran fisherman Shahrul, the temoleh is more than just a catch — it is a symbol of the river’s soul. As conservationists and communities rally to protect it, the hope is that future generations will still have the chance to see this extraordinary fish swim freely in the Perak River, not merely as a story told by the elders, but as a living heritage of Malaysia’s natural legacy.