Turongou

Puntius Binatatus

Have you ever heard about the local fish call Turongou? Normally this fish can be found at a small river around Sabah and other places in Borneo. The scientific name for this fish is Puntius Binatatus. If you did not have time to catch it by yourself you can bought it at the Tamus, Tamparuli, Tuaran, Ranau, Tambunan, Penampang, Kota Belud and other places around Sabah. The price is really reasonable and cheap. Turongou can be fried with "Adabi Chicken Flour" and really taste good. My grandfather used to cook it with Bambangan (Local Fruit in Tamparuli) which I call it " Soup Turongou Bambangan ". It really taste good. Some of you might try it before and some might not... If you want to buy this so call Turongou, you can visit Tamu Tamparuli early in the morning to buy this local fish. Nowdays this fish has been commercialize by the government. Please continue reading below article.

Adapted from. www.sabahtimes.com

A pioneer study on the breeding of local fish, ‘Turongou’, is in the pipeline to produce the Tongkat Ali and Kacip Fatimah Turongou on a commercial basis here.

Commonly known as spotted barb, its scientific name is Puntius Binatatus.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the ministry was currently funding a project for the establishment of a ‘Turongou’ hatchery and production facilities in Penampang.

The project, implemented by Innovasi Sedia Sdn Bhd, is currently in its first phase. Its objectives include preserving the ‘Turongou’ species from extinction through a controlled natural breeding system. Known among the Kadazandusun as ‘Turongou’, the fish is traditionally found in clean streams and paddy fields but is close to extinction because of the use of pesticides and pollution.

It is a highly-priced delicacy, and is high in nutritional value such as calcium and protein contents.

“Turongou is a good protein source, and in my view, is a superior fish both in taste and nutritional content. The research project will require advanced technical trials to produce large quantities of Turongou with eggs,” said Ongkili, during a visit to the project site yesterday.

He said there were three stages which would see the production of the Tongkat Ali and Kacip Fatimah ‘Turongou’.

The first stage involves mapping the species from various districts and testing their breeding capability, among others.

The second stage would test the feed formulation for the Turongou growth rate while the third involves producing herb-filled Turongou by feeding them medicinal plants such as tongkat ali, kacip fatimah, ginger and cinnamon, to produce organic nutritional ‘Turongou’.

Ongkili said the current project, which was given a RM300,000 funding, was progressing well.

“If successful, the technology will be licensed to small farmers,” he added.

Story Arrangement By: Harry George

Sources: Sabah Times News Paper

Picture: Google Image.