KOMPAS.com – Sweepfish, known as cleaner fish, are often found in various waters.
Apart from being in rivers, these fish usually decorate aquariums. However, the question of the safety of consuming fish is still a matter of debate in society.
According to Murwantoko, Lecturer in the Fisheries Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), broomstick fish can be consumed if it lives in a clean and good quality water environment.
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“Sweep-sapu fish that are kept in good water conditions are not a problem for consumption,” said Murwantoko as quoted from Kompas.comMonday (3/1/2022).
However, he emphasized that broomstick fish that live in poor quality waters are not worth eating.
Water with a high heavy metal content can cause the accumulation of heavy metals in fish flesh. If these heavy metals enter the human body, the effects can be very dangerous.
“Heavy metals that accumulate in fish’s bodies can affect the work of enzymes in the human body and are carcinogenic, so they can trigger cancer,” explained Murwantoko.
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Apart from that, he also highlighted that there are very few edible parts of the broomstick fish’s body. Factors such as thick skin and large heads make this fish less economical as a food source.
Pay attention to the fish’s habitat if you want to eat it
The decision to consume broomstick fish needs to consider the habitat where the fish lives.
If it comes from polluted waters, especially by industrial or household waste, the health risks far outweigh the benefits.
The carcass of a broomstick fish (Hypostomus Plecostomus) on the edge of Lake Limboto which was thrown away by fishermen. The explosion in the fish population has greatly disrupted their activities.On the other hand, broomstick fish that are raised or caught from a clean environment may be an alternative protein source.
However, considering the limited meat that can be consumed and the risk of heavy metal accumulation, this fish is not the main choice for daily consumption.
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Education regarding the quality of the aquatic environment is very important, both for human health and ecosystem sustainability.
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