Jakarta authorities launched a coordinated campaign against invasive janitor fish on Friday, April 17, 2026, deploying teams across five administrative cities to curb the species’ growing dominance in local waterways.
In North Jakarta’s Kelapa Gading Barat district, crews recorded a catch of 200 kilograms by 7:41 a.m. Western Indonesia Time at RW 06 canal, surpassing initial estimates. Governor Pramono Anung noted that early projections had anticipated around 150 kilograms, but the actual haul exceeded expectations, with over 60 kilograms collected in the first phase alone.
The governor emphasized the ecological threat posed by the species, describing janitor fish as highly resilient invasive organisms capable of surviving in polluted conditions. “You can see for yourself how these black fish thrive even in the dirtiest water,” he said, adding that their unchecked growth disrupts aquatic ecosystems, particularly in rivers and canals.
To encourage public participation, officials in Kelapa Gading are offering residents 5,000 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram for captured janitor fish. Meanwhile, in West Jakarta, municipal workers receive 25,000 rupiah per kilogram along with complimentary recreation passes to Ancol waterfront park as incentives for their cleanup efforts.
Authorities confirmed that captured fish are not being used for consumption. Instead, they are being buried directly at the Sentra Flora Semanan site to prevent misuse and further environmental risks.
Officials from Jakarta’s Food, Maritime, and Fisheries Resilience Agency warned that large populations of janitor fish could damage riverbed structures, as the species tends to burrow into muddy substrates, potentially disturbing the foundational layers of waterways.
The operation marks the first major step in a broader strategy to reduce the ecological impact of the invasive species and restore balance to Jakarta’s urban aquatic environments.
