Virtual Booth

Suckermouth catfish, commonly known as plecos, are widely prevalent in freshwater environments and are often considered an invasive species. Harnessing their abundance and nutritional profile could address both environmental concerns and the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality pet food. This product aims at utilising suckermouth catfish as a sustainable and nutritious source for pet food. By targeting suckermouth catfish, which pose ecological threats in Malaysian freshwater ecosystems, the project aims to contribute to environmental conservation by controlling their population and mitigating potential damage to local ecosystems. Suckermouth catfish are also rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients, which can be manipulated to develop a pet food formula that maximises these nutritional benefits, promoting overall health and well-being in pets. Furthermore, the utilisation of suckermouth catfish as a primary ingredient in pet food can create a cost-effective and sustainable supply chain. This can potentially reduce the reliance on traditional protein sources that may be less environmentally friendly. The project will also include comprehensive research to understand the nutritional composition of suckermouth catfish and optimise a pet food formula that meets the dietary needs of various pets, the development of efficient processing techniques to transform suckermouth catfish into a high-quality pet food product, and collaboration with pet food manufacturers to scale up production. Through careful research, responsible harvesting, and strategic marketing, this initiative has the potential to revolutionise the pet food market while positively impacting ecosystems affected by the invasive species.