A MALAYSIAN man was caught on Sunday for trying to smuggle 26 live reptiles and fish into Singapore.

The 26-year-old permanent resident was found out during checks conducted by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Changi Airport.

They uncovered a total of six live mantella laevigata, six Madagascan burrowing frogs, 13 geckos and one clown fish.

According to an ICA statement, the man had bought them for S$1300 at the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand.

He claimed to have purchased them for his friends and himself.

The reptiles and fish have since been handed over to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The man is also currently being investigated by the AVA.

If convicted, he faces fines of up to $50,000, or a jail term of two years at most.