EXOTIC fish worth more than £25,000 were stolen in a series of break-ins at an aquatic centre.
Around 50 Japanese koi carp were taken by thieves from Water World, in Burton, near Ellesmere Port.
The red, black, white and blue fish, which grow to 2ft long, were stolen from an ornamental lake outside the cent re . The distinctive and colourful creatures sell for between £300 and £500 each.
Len McGlashan, director of Water World, said: "These thieves knew what they were doing - they weren't amateur. The fish were just there to entertain people. Being stolen would have stressed the fish if they had to be chased and that stress could kill them.
"The fish are one of the attractions here. The children love them. Some of the fish that were stolen have been here for more than 20 years.
"Everyone is disappointed that this has happened and some of our staff are devastated. Customers are just disgusted they have been taken.
"The four to five carp they left behind are looking a bit sorry for themselves."
The fish thieves struck several times last week stealing dozens of fish at a time. How thieves managed to steal the fish without being detected by the video surveillance is a mystery.
Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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