| Pangasiidae (Shark catfishes) |
| 120 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
|
benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous |
| Asia: Mekong, Bangpakong, and Chao Phraya basins. |
|
Anal soft rays: 25-30. Dorsum dull grey with pale green iridescence; maxillary band of teeth forms a continuous row with no break in midline (Ref. 12693). Snout protruding with upper jaw tooth bands partly exposed when mouth is closed; large median vomerine tooth plate (Ref. 43281). |
| Occurs in large rivers (Ref. 12693) and enters flooded forests (Ref. 9497). Found in rapids and in deep slow reaches (Ref. 37771). Juveniles feed on prawns and insects; subadults and adults on prawns, insects and particularly mollusks which are more predominant in stomach contents than in any other Pangasius species (Ref. 7432) and on plants (Ref. 9497). Migrates into the middle Mekong along the Thai-Lao border as water levels and turbidity begin to increase. Reproduces early in the flood season and juveniles of 6 to 7 cm are taken by late June (Ref. 12693). Marketed fresh (Ref. 12693). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 January 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
|
Found in the Mekong River (Ref. 43281). Found in Ban Hang Khone at Don Khone, 3 km below the fall line of the great waterfalls of the Mekong basin at Lee Pee (Ref. 9497). Enters flooded forest (Ref. 9497). The most important pangasiid in the overall fish catch at Ban Hang Khone during June-July 1993 (Ref. 9497). During the period of high water (July-October) it enters the flooded forest and feeds heavily on fruits (Ref. 9497). Migrates upstream from March to August from the Khong Island, just upstream Khone Falls in Laos to Chiang Saen in Thailand (Ref. 37770). Also undertakes reproductive and trophic upstream migrations through Hoo Som Yai at the Great Fault Line on the Mekong River, Champassack Province (Ref. 37771). Museum: Mekong at Ban Hang Khone, just below Khone falls, CAS 94870 (Ref. 5515). Also Ref. 7432, 30857, 37767, 37769, 44002, 56905. |
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