In Indonesia this fish is locally known as
ikan semah, kancra bodas, or
ikan dewa (god's fish). It is rarely found in rivers and ponds in Indonesia, especially in Java, Sumatera and Borneo. Because of its rarity, the
Sundanese people consider it as a sacred fish. It can be found in rivers and ponds around
Mount Cereme,
West Java, such as Cibulan, Cigugur, Pasawahan, Linggajati, dan Darmaloka sacred ponds. Because of its rarity in Indonesia, the
Indonesian Institute of Sciences considering to propose to
CITES to give it the status as protected endangered species. In Thailand, this fish is known as
pla pluang chomphu or
pla vien chomphu (; lit: pink mahseer, pink brook carp) by the colour of the scales and fins are light red or pink. In 1981, this species was in an endangered status. Due to the habitat was destroyed from the
Bang Lang Dam, the new dam was built. Subsequently, specimens were collected from nature for breeding. Which was successful, but it also yields less. In the year of 1999,
Queen Sirikit proceeded to the Bang Lang Dam and released the fish back to nature. Later, she had the initiative to find fish to farm on the Royal Project. It can be grown in large quantities nowadays by Yala Inland Fisheries Station under Department of Fisheries. Presently, this fish has a very expensive price. They sell at 2,000
baht (about US$60) per kg. and in Hong Kong at 8,000 baht per kg. (US$242). == See also ==