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.
The temoleh or temelian once dominated local catches, often weighing between 20kg and 40kg. Its decline has left many wondering whether the species can survive changing river ecosystems.
Along the banks of Sungai Perak, 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.
“This area used to be one of the temoleh’s feeding grounds. Back then, catching one that weighed 10-20kg was nothing unusual,” Mohd Shahrul Buari told Bernama at Kampung Teluk Perang recently.
Unlike other freshwater species such as tenggalan, patin or kelabau, which can be caught year-round, the temoleh is a seasonal fish that usually appears between February and April, when it swims upstream to spawn.
Shahrul said the temoleh prefers to dwell in the middle of strong river currents, far from calm shallows or riverbanks. As such, fishermen mainly rely on drift nets to catch the elusive fish, which is known for swimming against the current.
“Temoleh also travel in pairs, unlike other fish that move in schools. The most effective way to catch the larger ones is by setting drift nets across the river at strategic points,” he added.
“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 7am, when the chances of catching one are much higher.”
Adding to the challenge, Shahrul explained that the temoleh’s natural diet – mainly small river snails found on the riverbed – makes it difficult to catch using conventional methods.
“Due to the way it feeds, it isn’t an easy fish to hook. It tends to suck in its food rather than bite, so it rarely gets caught on the line,” he noted.
Apart from being a fisherman, Shahrul acts as an intermediary, buying catches from other local anglers 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 KL, Penang and Pahang, travel here just to buy it. They prefer fish weighing 5kg or more, as the texture is perfect for steaming,” he shared.
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, with prices ranging from RM80-RM150 per kg, depending on size and grade.
Yet, behind this steady demand lies a troubling reality: the future of the temoleh looks increasingly bleak owing to the growing threat of invasive species such as the redtail catfish (baung ekor merah), patin lawi, and Mekong catfish.
“These invasive species are aggressive. A temoleh weighing just 4kg or 5kg doesn’t stand a chance against them. I believe that’s one of the reasons why large temoleh are becoming so rare,” Shahrul said.
He explained that most of these foreign species are farmed in cages along the Perak River, particularly near Teluk Intan. When cages break open, the fish 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.
Shahrul hopes the authorities will take stronger measures to protect the temoleh. He said 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 concluded.