PlanetCatfish.com - Pangasianodon gigas (Pangasiidae) Cat-eLog

This 646lb specimen caught 1st May 2005 was probably the largest freshwater fish in the world. It measured 2.7m.
85kg adult
64kg adult
Leucistic individual
Close-up of head
Nakhon Nayok market, Thailand
Close-up of skull
Skeleton
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Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pangasianodon gigas** Chevey, 1931
Common Names	Giant Mekong Catfish Mekong-malle (Denmark), Pla Buk (Thai)
Type Locality	Laos [original locality: Mekong River system, Pnom-Penh, Cambodia].
Synonym(s)	Pangasius gigas, Pangasius paucidens
Pronunciation	Pang ah see ah naw don - gig ass
Etymology	The generic name is derived from Pangasius + an (Greek for without)+odon (Greek for tooth); in reference to the toothless state of the adult fish. The specific epithet means a giant in Latin, and refers to the huge size of this species.
Articles	- Shane's World Catfishology In Search of the World's Largest Catfish
Species Information
Size	3000mm or 118.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The center of the eye above the horizontal line through the mouth angle in juveniles; eye totally below the level of mouth angle in subadults and adults. The maxillary and mandibular barbels well developed in juveniles, mandibular barbels becoming rudimentary in subadults and adults. Gigantic size; oral teeth and gill rakers present in small juveniles, absent at about 30-50 cm SL; dorsal, pelvic and pectoral fins without filamentous extensions.
Sexing	Females are fuller-bodied.
General Remarks	Shows one of the fastest growth rates of any fish in the world, reaching 150-200 kg in six years. A migratory species, but distances and destinations unknown.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Asia: endemic to the Mekong basin where it has become rare due to overexploitation. International trade banned (CITES I, since 1.7.1975; CMS Appendix I). Mekong (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Critically Endangered , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH	6.0 - 7.6
Temperature	20.0-28.0°C or 68-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	A benthic carnivore. User data.
Furniture	Needs vast amount of open space for swimming room and some plants to help reduce the nervous nature of the fish. Irrespective of its endangered status, not a fish for the home aquarium.
Compatibility	Will eat much smaller fishes, but peaceful with fishes of its own size or larger. An extremely nervous fish that is best kept in shoals but otherwise alone.
Suggested Tankmates	Not recommended for home aquaria.
Breeding	Not reported, although it is widely raised in ponds for food. In the wild, it spawns in estuaries and like many large catfish has a huge migratory range.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France v. 55 (no. 7) [for 1930], pp 538, Figs. 1-2.
Registered Keepers	There are 4 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 7 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up P. gigas on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. gigas on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.21.266.767
Last Update	2024 Mar 31 08:26 (species record created: 2001 Dec 22 00:00)