Occurs in the Mekong basin from the Lao border to the Great Lake (Ref. 12693). Reportedly migrating up the Mekong River and into the Tonle Sap (Grand Lac or Great Lake) to spawn (Ref. 3902). Upstream spawning migrations occur from October to February from Kompong Cham in Cambodia to Chiang Khong in Thailand (Ref. 37770). Trophic migrations are also undertaken, mainly by juveniles and sub-adults at the onset of the flood season. Smaller fishes of 20 to 60 cm migrate from the Mekong into smaller streams and flooded areas. At Sambor, juveniles occur from Lake Sandan, a floodplain lake (Ref. 37770). One of the favorite food fish; meat is considered excellent; eggs are especially priced; made into "som kai pba eum", in which one part of fish eggs with salt and ground rice added is mixed with 15 parts of meat; the uncooked mix is placed in earthen jars to ferment for a number of days before eating (Ref. 12369). Also Ref. 3902, 7427, 12369, 36651, 36686, 33813, 37772, 43281.