Almost three tonnes of fish are said to have died in flooding and landslides that hit the Lubuk Landur area of West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia, after a 6.2 magnitude quake on Friday 25 February.

The mass death was noticed early on Tuesday March 1.

The fish, which locals do not eat in the belief they are sacred and should not be eaten.

As a result of not being fished, they can grow to large sizes, weighing 5-12kg each (11-26 pounds).

The head of the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Office of West Pasaman Regency, Zulfi Agus, said the death of the fish was caused by the large amount of mud in the river, which was triggered by heavy rains and flash floods.

"Last night it rained heavily, mud material in the river caused gill disturbances. That's what causes the fish to die. According to estimates from reports observed in the field, it's almost three tonnes,” said Zulfi.

The fish were collected and buried. Residents dug graves on the banks of the river. They chose to bury rather than eat the fish, because they consider eating them to be forbidden.

"So, this is a forbidden fish. No one dares to take it or eat it. So we, the residents, chose to bury him. The fish here are never eaten. What has been eaten is only fish which is a kilometre away from here,” said Asiman, a local resident.

The Minang people in the area share a mythology about the fish that means it cannot be caught, fished or eaten. Ignoring this ban will, it is said, result in misfortune.

It is said that the fish do not move to other areas even when there is flooding.

Three tons of fish died after a flash flood hit the Lubuk Landur area, West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, Tuesday (1/3/2022). The dead fish are prohibited fish that have never been caught or eaten by residents and weigh between 5 and 12 kilograms per fish.

Head of the Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Office of West Pasaman Regency, Zulfi Agus, said the death of the fish was caused by the large amount of mud in the river, which was triggered by heavy rains and flash floods.

"Last night it rained heavily, mud material in the river caused gill disturbances. That's what causes the fish to die. According to estimates from reports observed in the field, it's almost three tons,” said Zulfi.

By local people, the fish are collected and buried. Residents dig graves on the banks of the river. They chose to bury rather than eat the fish, because its status is a forbidden fish.

"So, this is a forbidden fish. No one dares to take it or eat it. So we, the residents, chose to bury him. The fish here are never eaten. What has been eaten is only fish which is a kilometre away from here,” said Asiman, a local resident.

For the Minang people, forbidden fish is a mythology about fish that are forbidden to be caught, fished and eaten. Those who violate are believed to get reinforcements, because the fish have been casted. New fish can be utilized through a special agenda and ritual. the forbidden fish will not move anywhere/even if it is flooded.

Flash floods and landslides became a follow-up disaster after the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit West Pasaman Regency.