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Piranha caught in Stockport pond

18/10/2006

A piranha has been found in a pond in Greater Manchester, it has emerged.

A teenage fisherman caught the 3lb carnivorous fish in Stockport while fishing with friends.

Josh Boyle, aged 14, held the piranha in a tea-towel and took a picture of it on his mobile phone before returning it to the water. However, it was found dead shortly after.

The youngster, who is a member of the Prince Albert Angling Society, said: "I was shocked but it was as shocked as me. It had big teeth but it wasn't trying to bite me and it looked pretty weak."

According to the BBC, experts believe that the piranha was probably a pet that was dumped in the water when it grew too big for its tank.

Josh added: "I think it's the most exotic fish I'll ever catch. I want to get some piranhas as pets but my mum won't let me."

The natural habitat of the piranha is Amazonian freshwater rivers in South America.



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