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NewsWSVN 7 News MiamiAugust 13, 2026Miami-Dade

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission identifies piranha caught in Ridley Park Lake

State officials confirmed that a red-bellied piranha caught by a local resident at Ridley Park Lake was an illegally released pet. The fish, which is not native to Pennsylvania, was removed from the waterway to protect the local ecosystem.

wildlifeenvironmentfishinginvasive species
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Why It Matters

The illegal release of non-native pets into public waterways can disrupt local s and is prohibited by state wildlife regulations.

Key Facts

  • A red-bellied piranha was caught at Ridley Park Lake in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
  • The fish measured approximately 9.5 inches in length and weighed about 2 pounds.
  • The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission confirmed the fish was a pet that had been unlawfully released into the lake.
  • State officials consider this an isolated incident.
  • Releasing non-native pets into public waterways is illegal in Pennsylvania.

Who's Mentioned

personMichael Coffey“Father of Seamus Coffey”personMike Parker“Representative of the Fish and Boat Commission”organizationPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission“State agency responsible for managing waterways and wildlife”locationRidley Park Lake“Location where the piranha was caught”personSeamus Coffey“8-year-old angler who caught the piranha”