Asal Benar, Olahan Ikan Sapu-Sapu Bisa Menjadi Alternatif Menarik

JAKARTA - The question "can the fish be eaten?" may have come to the minds of many people when the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government encouraged the eradication of the fish named Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps from rivers in the capital region. In addition, the fish from the Amazon often tempts people in the water to consume it because it is easy to find.

The public's confusion about eating sapu-sapu fish is also influenced by various myths that often circulate. At least, there are three myths related to the consumption of sapu-sapu fish. First, the meat is poisonous, second it cannot be cooked and third sapu-sapu fish is a fish that cleans dirt.

In fact, the fact is, the meat of the fish is safe and nutritious, but the risk arises if the fish lives in polluted waters that make it contaminated with waste. Second, the fish can be cooked. As long as it is processed properly such as fried or baked, the parasites contained in the fish will most likely die. But, the texture of the meat will tend to be hard and smell earthy. Third, the fish is a bottom feeder that feeds on algae, as well as a detritus eater, or organic waste, which potentially contains high pollutants.

Diskan.hulusungaiselatankab.go.id, the sapu-sapu fish is generally found in rivers. In addition to moss, they also consume waste and pollutants containing heavy metals. Therefore, sapu-sapu fish that live in polluted waters are not suitable for human consumption. Consuming contaminated sapu-sapu fish can cause poisoning, itching, and various other health problems.

Before deciding to eat puffer fish, it is very important to ensure that the fish comes from clean and safe waters. Fish that live in polluted waters can absorb pollutants and heavy metals such as mercury, which are dangerous if consumed by humans. The safety of puffer fish consumption is also related to the possibility of parasites and bacteria. Fish must be cooked properly to kill any pathogens that may be present.

Good cooking methods include frying, baking, or boiling until the fish is fully cooked. This will ensure that the fish is safe to eat. Processing a puffer fish requires special techniques because of their hard and spiny bodies. The cleaning process must be done carefully to remove the spines and hard body parts.

After that, the fish meat can be cooked according to taste. Processing methods such as frying or roasting with strong seasoning can help improve the taste and texture of the fish. The fish itself has a rather hard and non-fatty meat, unlike the more commonly consumed fish. The taste tends to be less than desirable. However, with the right seasoning, the taste can be improved.

Sapu-Sapu Fish from Aquaculture Can Be Consumed

Professor of Food Security at IPB, Professor Ahmad Sulaeman said that basically, the fish can be consumed as long as it comes from unpolluted waters or is cultivated in a clean environment. However, when looking at the conditions in Indonesia, where most rivers in Indonesia have been exposed to factory and household waste, it is not recommended to eat fish.

"This is because the habitat and habits of these fish are at the bottom of rivers, swamps, ditches and eat mud and organic waste so that these fish easily accumulate toxins from their living environment," he said.

He explained that the habitat and habits make fish from polluted waters have the risk of containing heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium from factory waste and household waste such as detergents, pesticides and microplastics.

Not to mention, the fish caught in the rivers, ditches and Jakarta reservoirs may contain many bacteria and parasites because they live in dirty water. "If you look at the habits of fish, it is better if pregnant women, nursing mothers and children do not eat fish. It is very dangerous and can interfere with brain development and child growth and development," continued Ahmad.

Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Indonesia, Ari Fahrial Syam added, often people think that the cooking process can eliminate all health risks. In fact, in the case of the consumption of fish sapu-sapu containing heavy metals, this assumption is not entirely true. Because, heavy metal levels cannot be lost by cooking.

He explained that a person affected by eating puffer fish can experience two short-term and long-term phases. Short-term consumption of puffer fish can be felt directly by the body with symptoms of vomiting after eating the fish. More worrying is when the victim experiences long-term effects that are often not realized by the community. "In the long term, it can certainly cause kidney and liver damage in the patient," he added.

Furthermore, Ari advised the public to be more wise in choosing sapu-sapu fish, especially knowing the origin of the fish to be consumed. "Avoid choosing sapu-sapu fish from polluted waters that risk absorbing metal exposure so as to trigger long-term impacts on those who consume it," he said.

Sapu-Sapu Fish Can Be an Alternative Protein Source

Head of the DKI Jakarta Food, Maritime, and Agriculture Agency (KPKP), Hasudungan A. Sidabalok, revealed that the sapu-sapu fish is not a biologically toxic fish. However, the environment where the fish lives makes it high risk to be consumed. "Sapu-sapu fish can be biologically consumed if it comes from controlled cultivation, not in polluted rivers or reservoirs. Even if the sapu-sapu fish comes from cultivation, the fish must still be laboratory tested to ensure it does not contain heavy metals and microbiology," he said.

Lecturer at the Fisheries Department of the Faculty of Agriculture, UGM, Murwantoko, also stated that sapu-sapu fish can be consumed if it lives in a clean and good quality water environment. "Sapu-sapu fish that are maintained in good water conditions, it's okay to eat," he said.

However, he said, the edible part of the mop fish is very little. Factors such as thick skin and large heads make this fish less economical as a food source. "The decision to consume mop fish needs to consider the habitat where the fish lives. If it comes from polluted waters, especially by industrial or household waste, the health risks are much greater than the benefits. On the other hand, mop fish that are raised or caught from a clean environment may be an alternative protein source. However, given the limitations of meat that can be consumed as well as the risk of accumulation of heavy metals, this fish is not the main choice for daily consumption," explained Murwantoko.

So, can you eat a mop-mop fish? The answer is yes, provided that the fish comes from clean and safe waters, and is processed with the right methods to ensure safety and good taste. But, given the health benefits and risks, eating mop-mop fish may not be the first choice for everyone. However, this fish can be an interesting alternative if processed properly.