Beijing, Jul 12 (IANS): Chinese authorities have launched a massive hunt for piranhas, the flesh-eating fish, which attacked at least two people recently in a river.

Authorities are offering 1,000 yuan ($157) to local residents for every confirmed piranha kill in the Liujiang river in the Guangxi Zhuang region, Xinhua reported Wednesday.

Two swimmers were attacked by at least three piranhas in the river over the weekend. One of the victims had parts of his finger bitten off by the fish.

Fishery officials said the piranha may have been brought to the country from the Amazon region in South America. Guangxi's tropical climate makes it similar to piranha's natural habitat.

"Piranha can reproduce very fast in environments similar to home. In addition, the piranhas have no natural enemies here to keep their numbers in check," said Zhou Jie, an expert at the Fisheries Research Institute in Guangxi.

Authorities have invited experienced fishermen to hunt the fish.

Several local residents were seen fishing on the river Tuesday night to try to kill one of the fish and claim a reward.

Liuzhou's game fishing association has also urged its members to join the hunt.