Why the Temoleh

Temoleh, Temelian or Probarbus jullieni, is the biggest of the Malaysian wild river carps. There's only two "Freshwater Fish of Malaysia" declared and rated as Critically Endangered; the Arowana and these great giant Temoleh. Meaning that it is present in limited localities but the factors for their survival are not favourable! Its beauty and elegance of these striped giants are admirable amongst the anglers.In Thailand, it is known as Pla Eesok, and considered a very highly esteemed fish.

This elusive sportfish, which is the only worthy Malaysian contender of the mighty Indian Mahseer in terms of size and strength. It is only found in Sungai Pahang and Sungai Perak, the two biggest river system (including their tributaries) in the peninsular Malaysia. It is absent in Borneo. The Temoleh's fish also can be found in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins of Indo-China and Thailand.

Giant Temoleh caught in Mekong Basin

How "giant' is this fish

Temoleh fish is very large, weighing up to 25 kg and measuring up to 150cm long. However, it was reported that a 33kg giant was caught in Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara in early 90s by 3 local ladies after a protracted battle from 6pm to 11pm. The local people of Taman Negara also believe that the 50kg of giant Temoleh are still exist beneath Sungai Tembeling until today! 

Its body is brown to red in color with dark brown stripes. The fins and tail are orange, and it has a rounded snout with small lips. Carps are freshwater fish and are distantly related to the common goldfish.

The Temoleh fish is a migratory species and mainly occupies large rivers or lakes with moving water, with sand or gravel substrates and where there is an abundance of mollusks. These fish feed on aquatic plants, insects, and shelled mollusks. They migrate upstream in October, and spawning occurs in the winter in late December through early February in big riverine deltas where the current is strong enough.

why we choose sungai tembeling of taman negara

Is There A Future For Our Temoleh?

The Jullien’s golden carp is threatened by over fishing and human capture of eggs that have a very high market price. The species is legally protected in Laos where it is forbidden to catch, trade, or transport the species. In Malaysia, the protection is still in grey area. A lot of actions to be done by local authorities and publics before this species extinct