Which Fish Are Best for Release? The Department of Fisheries Urges Devotees to Verify Before Releasing Aquatic Species Properly

Devotees are reminded to double-check before releasing fish for merit during important Buddhist days to ensure proper aquatic species release.

On 27 July 2026, Mrs. Thitiporn Laoprasert, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, stated that during important Buddhist days, people often release aquatic animals for good fortune. However, it is important to consider the species and suitability of the water source, since some species, such as the predatory giant snakehead, if released uncontrolled, could reduce native aquatic populations.

Moreover, releasing alien aquatic species can impact the country's fisheries and aquaculture, as some species breed rapidly, compete for food and habitat, consume eggs and larvae of native species, and may carry diseases, leading to biodiversity loss and long-term ecosystem imbalance.

Under Sections 64 and 65 of the 2015 Fisheries Act and its amendments, releasing alien aquatic species is illegal and punishable by up to two years imprisonment or a fine up to two million baht, or both.

Additionally, possession or purchase of protected wildlife under the 2019 Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, such as pond turtles and Thai softshell turtles, for release is prohibited. Violations carry penalties of up to five years imprisonment or fines up to 500,000 baht, or both.

The Department of Fisheries invites the public to release aquatic species properly during religious merit-making by choosing healthy native Thai species such as silver barb, climbing perch, bleeding cheek gourami, whitebait, Sultans fish, black gourami, Thai barb, Thai snakehead, snakehead, sand goby, climbing perch, striped catfish, striped catfish (Pla Sawai), yellow catfish, glass catfish, etc., into appropriate waters to help conserve ecosystems, biodiversity, and native aquatic resources sustainably.

Furthermore, those wishing to buy aquatic animals for merit-making should select healthy individuals without wounds to prevent spreading diseases into natural water bodies.

Aquatic species should be released into suitable habitats.

• Ricefield eels and ricefield frogs live in moist, slow-flowing waters. They should be released into rivers, streams, canals, ponds, or rice paddies with muddy soil because eels like to burrow, and moist areas provide insects that frogs feed on.
• Striped catfish, giant catfish, silver barb, and black gourami should be released into rivers or canals with deep water and strong currents, as these species grow larger and require spacious habitats for development.
• Apple snails should be released into ditches, ponds, canals, or rice fields with muddy or earthy bottoms, water depths from 10 centimeters to 2 meters, with still or slow-flowing water, and areas containing posts, bridges, submerged wood, or aquatic plants for attachment.
• Regarding catfish, only walking catfish and striped catfish are appropriate for release.

The Department of Fisheries does not support releasing catfish into natural waters due to difficulty distinguishing native from alien or hybrid catfish, especially in small sizes, and improper releases directly harm ecosystems.

The Department requests cooperation to refrain from releasing alien species, hybrids, or unsuitable aquatic animals into natural waters, including Mayan snakehead, black-chinned snakehead, butter snakehead, suckermouth armored catfish, Japanese or red-eared sliders, crayfish from Australia and America, peacock bass, African catfish, and hybrids like big walking catfish bred for aquaculture and consumption rather than natural occurrence. To reduce ecosystem harm, those possessing alien species who do not wish to keep them should deliver them to nearby Department of Fisheries offices or central offices for proper handling.