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CCTV catches thieves stealing pet fish for black market

Black market demand for expensive pet fish is believed to have inspired a break-in at a popular Melbourne fish store.

Exotic fish worth hundreds of dollars each were scooped up by two thieves when they broke into the Maidstone aquarium about 3am on Saturday.

CCTV footage of the break in show one of the thieves, with a torch in his mouth and a net in his hand taking fish out of their tanks.

The thief was caught on camera heading straight for the most expensive fish. Source: 7 News
The thief was caught on camera heading straight for the most expensive fish. Source: 7 News

The thief knew what he was looking for, heading straight for discus fish worth up to $900 each and ignoring numerous tanks containing other fish species.

Store owner Song Truong Le said they are the most expensive fish he had on sale.

He said it appeared that the thieves had recently scoped out the store.

The discus fish which were stolen can sell for up to $900 each. Source: 7 News
The discus fish which were stolen can sell for up to $900 each. Source: 7 News

"To me, normally people who do something like this, they have to know what they're doing, where to go," he said.

The bandits' interest in the fish clearly didn't extend to their welfare as there were a number of fish left to die on the floor as they took what they could from the tanks.

Store owner Song Truong Le said the fish were doomed unless the thieves knew how to look after them. Source: 7 News
Store owner Song Truong Le said the fish were doomed unless the thieves knew how to look after them. Source: 7 News

The stolen fish are doomed unless the thieves are aware of how to look after them.

"If they don't take care of them well they could get sick after one or two days," Mr Le said.

CCTV footage caught the thieves in action. Source: 7 News
CCTV footage caught the thieves in action. Source: 7 News

The crooks also grabbed expensive tanks and filters and in the process, one of them provided a security camera with a direct look at his face.

"I believe the police will taking care of it and they will get their punishment," Mr Le said.

The local black market is seen as the most likely destination for the stolen fish.