Kuningan Launches Probe into Mass Sacred Fish Die-Off

RRI.CO.ID, Kuningan - The Kuningan Regency Administration has launched an emergency investigation following the unprecedented mass death of hundreds of sacred fish, locally known as God Fish, at the Balong Girang tourist site in Cigugur, West Java.

This sudden ecological crisis has alarmed both officials and locals, as the ancient pond serves as a vital cultural landmark where the fish are revered as symbols of regional history and spiritual heritage.

Kuningan Regent, Dian Rachmat Yanuar, conducted an on-site inspection on Monday, February 2, 2026, to assess the scale of the loss and coordinate a rapid response. 

"I have personally inspected the site, and the number of 'God Fish' deaths has exceeded 150 over the last few days. This is a serious matter, as a mass mortality event of this scale has never occurred before," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Preliminary reports indicate the die-off began on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, with an initial 24 fish found dead. Since then, the numbers have escalated sharply over the following weekend.

Beyond their role as a major tourist attraction, Regent Dian noted that these fish hold a profound significance for the Kuningan community. He stressed that the local administration is committed to taking measured, swift action to contain the situation. 

“Swift action is mandatory. We must ensure that the number of fish deaths does not continue to rise,” he remarked. 

While the exact cause remains under technical review, officials are investigating various factors, including potential disease outbreaks, sudden fluctuations in water temperature, pond hygiene, and nutritional imbalances.

Early diagnostic efforts by the Kuningan Fisheries and Livestock Agency have already identified several biological red flags. Denny Rianto, the Head of the Fisheries Division, explained that initial examinations of the carcasses revealed symptoms consistent with infection. 

Denny noted that the dead fish exhibited white discoloration around their mouths and were infested with parasitic worms. These conditions were likely exacerbated by extreme shifts in water temperature.

To stabilize the remaining population, technical teams have moved to increase aeration within the historic ponds. “The technical team has also recommended increasing the pond's oxygen levels through water pumping as an initial preventive measure to stop the fish deaths from continuing,” explained Denny. 

The administration expressed its gratitude for the proactive reporting by local residents. This timely information allowed authorities to intervene before the entire fish population was compromised. ***