By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-12 14:31:05 | Updated at 2026-08-12 18:24:23
4 hours ago
A typical father-son fishing day became a one-of-a-kind experience after a young boy unknowingly reeled in a piranha from a Pennsylvania lake.
Seamus Coffey, eight, and his dad, Michael, headed out to Ridley Park Lake, located in a Philadelphia suburb, on Saturday, for one of their regular weekend fishing outings.
What began as a normal day, which saw Michael catch two catfish, their outing soon turned exciting when Seamus felt a tug on his micro-rod that was unusually difficult to reel in.
Speaking to WPVI, Michael recounted telling his son: 'Slow down dude, you might lose it. This looks like something we haven't caught before.'
Once they pulled the fish on land, the duo were met with something they had never seen before, at least in person. The fish boasted grayish-green scales with a red belly and a set of razor-sharp teeth.
'I was like, "Oh, this is a bluegill, I don't know what this is,"' Michael told the outlet, before revealing that it was his son who correctly identified the fish, telling his dad: 'It's a piranha!'
When Seamus was asked how he knew what species the fish was, the boy replied: 'Because I watch YouTube.'
Michael told CBS Philadelphia that while he originally planned to return the piranha to the water, as they typically perform catch and releases, he quickly realized that he should kill the invasive animal.
A typical father-son fishing day turned into an unforgettable day when eight-year-old Seamus Coffey reeled in a piranha from a Pennsylvania lake
Seamus and his dad, Michael Coffey, caught the piranha on Saturday at Ridley Park Lake, located in a Philadelphia suburb. The father and son are pictured together
The eight-year-old boy correctly identified the red-bellied and sharp-toothed fish while his father was at a loss. Seamus said he knew it was a piranha because he watches YouTube
Michael decided to humanely kill the fish to protect the ecosystem, which state wildlife officials said was the correct decision. He is pictured with his wife
'Basically have to get rid of it for the ecosystem,' Michael told the outlet. 'So we ended up getting rid of it humanely and put it back for the snapping turtle that hangs out over near the rocks over there.'
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesperson Mike Parker told WPVI that biologists with the agency confirmed the fish was a piranha and that the father made the right choice by disposing of it.
Parker said that the fish, native to lakes and rivers in South America, posed a danger to the public and could have disrupted the ecosystem.
He explained that people sometimes purchase the fish and other exotic species as pets before deciding to dump the animals in lakes or other natural environments once they feel they are no longer equipped to care for them.
Those individuals 'want to own an exotic fish or a snake or an alligator, and it's cute when it's small. But maybe they can't afford that or house it anymore, and they decide maybe this is someone else's problem,' Parker said.
He added that the piranha was likely recently introduced to the lake, as it likely would not have survived in the unsuitable environment for very long.
Parker noted that people can 'quickly tire' of the specialized care exotic species need, so they 'decide the best thing to do for this animal would be to go throw it in the river, go throw it in a pond.'
However, 'that is probably the worst thing you can do for an animal that's been a pet,' he explained.
Michael and Seamus regularly visit the lake. The eight-year-old is pictured during a different fishing outing
A Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesperson said the piranha had likely been owned as an exotic pet and was recently introduced to the lake, which is illegal
Piranhas are native to South America, and the fish likely would not have survived very long in the unsuitable lake, the spokesperson said
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesperson noted that although there may not be laws against owning certain exotic animals as pets, it is still illegal to introduce the animals to natural environments.
Doing so can result in fines and prosecution, he said.
Although the presence of the piranha in the lake was the result of an illegal and irresponsible decision, it gave Michael and his son an unforgettable memory.
'We've had some crazy fishing experiences, but that's definitely number one,' the father told WPVI.
As for Seamus, the boy said he can't wait to get back out to the lake. 'Fishing is my favorite thing,' he told the outlet.
