The biggest one ever caught and measured was in Thailand in 2005. When . Such is the case of the Mekong Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas), the world's largest freshwater fish, which can grow up to nearly 10 feet long and weigh 650 pounds. Your privacy is important to us. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Fernandes redtail catfish was 123 pounds 7 ounces (56 kilograms) and 4.62 feet (1.408 meters) long. creative tips and more. As the fish grow up, interesting changes take place in their intrinsic characteristics. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Insider Advice The world's largest catfish is an endangered species in Thailand so it cannot be caught as food. Mekong giant catfish have been confirmed as anadromous also. [8] The largest catch recorded in Thailand since. From Contributor (separated by comma) within editors' choice. Syd Ribes with Sea Falcon highlights four new lures for saltwater fishing. There really isnt any more details about Fernandes catch, but he did use a fiberglass Sportex rod to land the redtail catfish. Customers are welcome to bring their own bait and additional "Luum" ground bait can be purchased at 300 Baht per 3 kilos. Living in the Mekong River, the Mekong giant catfish is a Critically Endangered species of catfish in the world. Goonch catfish have reportedly been known to eat corpses from funeral pyres on the Kali River, which runs between Nepal and India. Scientific name: Pangasianodon gigas. These records pale in comparison to a Mekong giant catfish caught in northern Thailand on 1 May 2005, and reported to the press almost 2 months later, that weighed 293 kilograms (646 lb). Several efforts have been made to control the fishing of the giant catfish. These records pale in comparison to a giant Mekong catfish caught in northern Thailand on 1 May 2005 and reported to the press almost 2 months later that weighed 293 kilograms (646 lb). No aggressiveness has ever been observed in their nature. Physical Description: The most marked feature of this fish is its remarkable size. There are three models in SPRO's Outsider crankbait series: 55 (runs 3-4 feet), 60 (7-9) and 80 (19-21). Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Redtail catfish are not picky eaters and in the wild tend to eat fish and crustaceans. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. The 8.9 foot long Mekong giant catfish was the heaviest recorded fish since Thailand started keeping records in 1981. If you have an image of a Mekong Giant Catfish, please let us know at [emailprotected]. In captivity, redtail catfish eat assorted worms, frozen foods, sinking catfish pellets, and dry foods. Ferrari's Wels catfish weighed 280 pounds (127 kilograms) and was 8.75 feet (2.67 meters) long. There has been a rapid decline in their number throughout the last decade. A Mekong giant catfish can grow up to 118.1 in (300 cm) in length. The young catfishes prey upon zooplankton, they even show cannibalistic traits. This study investigated the relationships among parental body weight, egg size and number, and offspring performance at the larval, juvenile and grow-out stages of bighead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) in Mekong domesticated (Can Tho; CT) and wild (Ca Mau; CM) strains.One-year-old broodstock from each strain were separated into two size groups, with those in the large (L) group having, on . Professional bass angler Jonathan Kelley highlights the features of SPRO's new lures at ICAST 2022 in Orlando. So rare that it is nearly a legend of the Mekong River's depths, the Giant Catfish belongs to the shark catfish family and reach more than 600 pounds and some 10 feet in length. Mekong Goonch Catfish (Bagarius cf. This provides anglers a rare opportunity to legally fish for Mekong catfish. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. She has a PostGraduate Diploma in sports management, which enhanced her sports journalism skills, as well as a degree in journalism and mass communication. It is native to China and the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. It took over an hour for the Thai fishermen to reel in the heavy catfish. As I reel in the fish, Alley instructs me to steer the giant away from the side of the bungalow before it tangles in the line around the pillars beneath us. The average swimming speed of the Mekong giant catfish is not known. This large blue catfish weighed in at 143 pounds (64.86 kilograms) and was 4.75 feet (1.45 meters) long. The wels catfish is the largest true freshwater fish in Europe and also captured by Jermy Wade in River Monster . 2022 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Sometimes you have to fish a bait that allows you to cover a lot of water efficiently. It implies that there is a high chance for the species to go extinct. Baseball size dough ball rigged and ready for battle. 2001, Hartmann et al. A rate of population decline of over 80% can be estimated from combining annual catch data over the last thirteen years in the Mekong River Basin area: From Thailand, there were 428 fish landed between 1983 and 2009. Eddie even warns anglers on his website that they likely will not last all day fishing at Bungsamran Lake. Just a month before he made his record redtail catfish catch, Fernandes caught another redtail that was 113 pounds 8 ounces (51.5 kilograms). monkeys, cats, dogs, birds, and other catfish have been found in their stomachs. The Mekong giant catfish is the largest freshwater fish. Catfish is the largest freshwater fish and they range greatly in size. Another giant Indian catfish is the Sareng ( Wallago . The opportunityto fish for such a rare species and the largest, most uniquecatfish in the world is an adventure that I live over and over in my mind. Not much is known about this species' status in the Mekong River's central section where WWF's work is centered, and more research is needed to develop an effective species management plan. Mekong giant catfish Scientific Name: P. gigas Type: Fish Diet: Herbivore Size: up to 10 feet Weight: up to 646 pounds IUCN Red List Status: Critically endangered LC NT VU EN CR EW EX Least. My dough ball bait is the size of a baseball, so I know the predator taking it is likely the size of me. giant catfish in Thailand. fisherman with mekong catfish - mekong giant catfish stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Cambodian fishery officials examine the carcas of a giant catfish at the Department of Fisheries in Phnom Penh on November 15, 2011. Then there is the Giant Barb, which - as its name suggests - is the biggest barb around. She's good at writing about sports and sporting heroes. In addition to weighing nearly 650 pounds, this Mekong giant catfish was 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. Here, we sequenced mitochondrial (mt) DNA of the cytochrome B region, and a control region, to characterize the genetic variation of P. gigas, P. hypophthalmus, and hybrids of these two species. In addition to weighing nearly 650 pounds, this Mekong giant catfish was 9 feet (2.7 meters) long. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. A slight glimpse of the brute strength of the mighty Mekong catfish. For starters, the Mekong catfish does have barbels. Stout rods and reels are used during battle here and as you can see, are being put to the test. This specimen, caught in 2005, is widely recognized as the largest freshwater fish ever caught (although sturgeon can far exceed this size, they can be anadromous). One of the largest fish in the world, the Mekong giant catfish grows to 10 feet (3 meters). Best of Category winner at ICAST 2022. Moumita has worked with many soccer teams and produced match reports, and sports is her primary passion. It took Ferrari 40 minutes to catch the Wels catfish and he decided to release the fish back into the water so he could be caught again in the future. However, the Thai ministry is taking a closer look into the matter. Although they are not aggressive in nature, it can possess a lot of problems to have such a large species of fish as a pet. Saving up to experience a rare pursuit like this one is worth every penny. Sadly, the population of this species is decreasing rapidly. Although they are endemic to the Mekong River, they migrate great distances during the breeding season. The Mekong giant catfish has low-set eyes, are silvery to dark gray in color on top and white underneath, and are toothless. There is another variant that has a white body, but the eyes are black. Back in 2005, this fish held a record in the Guinness World Records, as the largest freshwater fish in the world. Scientists claim that over the last decade, there has been a sharp decline in their population and that it has decreased by 90%. As one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, the growth potential of the Mekong giant catfish is off the charts. This species is commercially important as a food fish and is also farmed. The main threats behind their decreasing population are said to be the construction of dams, habitat destruction, navigation projects, overfishing, and pollution. As adults, they feed upon algae and plants in the river. The Albino Giant Gourami is a species of large gourami native to freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia, with its occurrence in other locations due to introductions. Mysterious MEKONG; Imperiled Giant Fish and Mainstream Dams in the Lower Mekong Basin: Assessment of Current Status, Threats, and Mitigation; Mekong Giant Catfish Size; Catchculturevol10-No.1.2-Lao.Pdf; Mekong Giant Catfish Report English Pdf 1.18 MB; Cambodia's Fisheries: Adecade of Changes and Evolution; Title a Review of the Mekong Giant . However, despite his best efforts, his record blue catfish died. More precisely, the Mekong basin. Could these numbers be right? The Mekong giant catfish perhaps won't be the ideal pet. In 2005, the Mekong giant catfish attained the Guinness World Record ' for the world's largest freshwater fish. Everyone is riled up, the commotion is defining, water is splashing me from the impressive force of the fish rising to surface and the battle of wills was intense. Lifespan: 60 years. Q: How big is the Mekong giant catfish? Check your inbox for your latest news from us. [8] The largest catch recorded in Thailand since record-keeping began in 1981 was a female measuring 2.7 m (roughly 9 feet) in length and weighing 293 kg (646 lb). The weight of a Mekong giant catfish can go up to 646 lb (293 kg). Everybody has heard of the new Mekong giant catfish world record caught recently from a lake Experts believe that this monster Mekong giant catfish is not only the largest catfish ever caught in the world, but the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. My guide Alley and I here fighting the giant Mekong. Few fishermen know how or where to fish for the rare colossal beast, and even fewer can withstand the physical punishment should they dare to try. The Mekong giant catfish is rare and endangered and the one caught in 2005 was the largest ever caught since Thailand began keeping records in 1981. over 3,000 species of catfish around the world, catfish can range in size from 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) to hundreds of pounds, people have questioned the legitimacy of Paulies catch, presented to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism in 2016 for further examination, Fernandes has over 100 IGFA world fishing records, Goonch catfish have reportedly been known to eat corpses, Piraiba is the largest of the catfish species found in the Amazon. Photo courtesy of David Peters. The giant catfish of Mekong river is a critically endangered species and biggest freshwater fish in the world. Read our Sponsorship & Advertising Policy. It is considered to be the largest freshwater fish in the world. The catfish was later sold in pieces to villagers to be eaten. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. A: Incidents of catfish attacking humans are extremely rare and do not pose a danger. Interested to learn about more such interesting animals from across the globe? Moumita is a multilingual content writer and editor. Attaining an unconfirmed length of 3 m, the Mekong giant catfish grows extremely quickly, reaching a mass of 150 to 200 kg in only six years. Paulie was using a light tackle while he was crappie fishing and the flathead was a lucky catch. This struggle lasts for 25 minutes before I finally land the 75-pound fish. Food Will Be Available from 10 am - 2 pm, with drinks available all day. This impressive, primitive looking fish defies what is deemed "typical" for most catfish. Depending on the species, catfish can range in size from 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) to hundreds of pounds, like the behemoths on this list. Conservation efforts are currently underway to gain critical data on catfish distribution, migration, and spawning, to better manage catfish protected areas, as well as to reduce fishing pressure on giant catfish and raise public and media awareness. [3] Fishers in northern Thailand netted this huge catfish in the Mekong River on May 1. In an interview, Vgner said that he is sill after the world record Goliath Tiger Fish of the Kongo river. Blue catfish were intentionally introduced into rivers in Virginia in the 1970s, but have now become an invasive species that grows and breeds rapidly. Preferred Water Parameters Mekong giant catfish are known to seek refuge in deep pools in the river during the dry season when the water level is lower. This does not influence our choices. Give a Gift Back in 2005, a colossal Mekong Giant Catfish was hauled out in northern Thailand; it was the size of a car - 2.7m long and weighed 293kg. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Many specimens on record measure more than 8 feet long and exceed 220 pounds. Currently, only a few hundred individual Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) are present in the entire world. are possible! Here anglers and equipment are challenged! The people from the nearby villagers didn't let the fish go to waste and ended up eating it. The largest catfish ever reeled in was the massive Mekong giant catfish, which was caught near a remote village in Thailand back in 2005. Although Ferrari's catch is impressive, unfortunately he was just shy of the world record for a Wels catfish catch, which weighed 297 pounds 9 ounces (134.97 kilograms). As one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, it is endemic to the Mekong Basin and formerly inhabited long stretches of the Mekong River from southern Cambodia through Thailand to northern Lao PDR. The National Geographic emerging explorer, Zeb Hogan, is also lending a hand to save the largest catfish species in the world and symbolizes the health and integrity of the Mekong River. For many people, this kind of adventure may seem exotic and unreachable, but I share my story to showcase the opportunities for anglers who want to up the ante. The government of Thailand, along with the fishing community, are making efforts to bring positive changes. Nearly nine feet long (2.7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, the behemoth tipped the scales at 646 pounds. Their low sets of eyes give them a very sorrowful look. After I returned home, I learned that I set a female record at Bungsarmran Lake for the most Mekong catfish caught at these sizes in the 10 years it has been in operation. For largely unknown reasons probably including overfishing and habitat degradation, population size of Mekong giant catfish has been steadily decreasing since the 1970s, probably by over 80%. The Mekong giant catfish ( Pangasianodon gigas) is intriguing of its breathtaking size and power. The two largest catfish in the United States are the Flathead Catfish and the Blue Catfish. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Exclude. Here's What You Need to Know, DIY: Earthworms Can't Hide When 'Grunters' Are Hunting, Best New Baitcasting Rods & Reels for 2022, Exotic Fishing Paradise Awaits in South Florida, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources, SPRO's New Outsider Crankbait Series: First Look, New Essential Series Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits from SPRO, New from AFTCO: Barricade Cold Weather Tactical Gear, Award-Winning Frabill Witness Net 'Keeps You Honest'. He gave this description referring to fish even at a young age. Fishing of this species has also been made illegal. Population size: Evidence suggests that populations of Mekong giant catfish have been declining throughout the basin for the last several decades (Pavie 1904, Giles 1935, Smith 1945, Hogan et al. But in what's got to be the growth spurt to end all growth spurts, Mekong giant catfish hatchlings (called fry) that have been bred in captivity have averaged a 400 percent growth rate in a mere 4 months. The Goonch Catfish ( Bagarius yarelli) in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh has been reported eating humans. Then check out the catfish and the Cory catfish. The spawning season starts with the arrival of the monsoon. It was 9-feet long and 646 pounds. It is the subject of myths and defines unmeasurable strength a monster that lurks in the brackish waters of the Mekong Delta in Southeast Asia. Walking the planks to my bungalow for the day, I see the gargantuan fish churning in the shallow end of the water. Photo courtesy of David Peters. The giant fish was nearly nine feet long (close to three meters) and weighed in at a whopping 646 pounds (almost 300 kg). Gallery. Mekong giant catfish is rare and endangered. Catfish without whiskers Catfish are named for the whisker-like barbels around their mouth. Dr. Hogan, an ecologist, has spent more than 20 years researching this fish. Scene in paintings include giant Mekong . National Geographic 20.4M subscribers One of the largest fish in the world, the Mekong giant catfish grows to 10 feet and 650 pounds. At ICAST 2022 in Orlando. By: Teresa Taylor. With Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller. Check out the video of me taking a 75-pounder to see just how tiring, exhausting and exhilarating fishing for the Mekong giant can be: Fishing for the Mekong catfish is the ultimate experience for a catfish angler. However, this photograph and story were just . Photo courtesy of David Peters. Being a toothless species of fish, alongside being herbivores, they are not really capable of doing any harm. This is the largest giant Mekong catfish caught since Thai officials started keeping records in 1981. The Mekong catfish, with its titanic, solid body, drags me and the rod like a bus driving away as I try to hold on, refusing to succumb to defeat. "At 100 pounds, a Mekong catfish will bend a 50 pound class boat and rod to the butt and strip line as if not even hooked," says Eddie Mounce, Managing Director of Fish Thailand. I arrived at Bungsamran Lake, operated by Fish Thailand, near Bangkok early in the morning. Mekong Giant Catfish In fact, it can be said that these giant catfish have completely different morphological features from any other common fish. No one knows for sure which freshwater species grows to be the largest . He gave this description referring to fish even at a young age. Overall, catfish are some of the most abundant species of fish in the world. My heartbeat raced with anticipation. According to a report published in National Geographic, a Mekong giant catfish ranging 106.3 in (270 cm) in length, is the largest freshwater fish ever caught in the world. They travel to Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos PDR. All Rights Reserved. Within 20 minutes, I have my first bite. Search from Mekong Giant Catfish stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. A giant Pangasius catfish caught in Thailand's Mekong River in 2005 reportedly weighed 650 pounds. When you're on the search for bass that have moved into deeper water off the bank and away from obvious holding spots, a swimbait can locate them. Among the . In 2005, a behemoth Mekong giant catfish, weighing in at a scale-tipping 646 pounds (293 kilograms) was caught in a remote village in Thailand near the Mekong River. The boot was a size 37 and there is only one man with a size 37 boot, Robert Wadlow. While Paulies record was verified by the the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and has been standing for over 20 years, many people have questioned the legitimacy of Paulies catch. Giant Mekong Catfish has one of the fastest growth rates of any fish and can reach a weight of 200kg/ 440 lb in 5 years and can grow to a length of up to 3m / 10ft and can weigh upwards to 350kg / 770 lbs which makes it on of the heaviest freshwater fish in the world. According to the study, the Xayaburi dam on the Mekong mainstem in northern Laos would prove an impassable barrier for the migratory giant catfish - which are capable of reaching up to three metres in length and . The . When she reaches puberty, her length at that time can become very large to the point that it may exceed two meters. Any <5 MP 8 MP 15 MP 20+ MP. The safety harness around my waist allowed me to bury the rod in a secure position during hard runs. Setting the hook feels like snagging a brick wall as the fish pulls me with magnificent force. The Giant Mekong catfish is one of the biggest fish in the world. Experts believe that this monster Mekong giant catfish is not only the largest catfish ever caught in the world, but the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. As of the time of this writing the records are accurate. Common name: Giant Mekong catfish Thai name: Plah Beuk ( ) Thailand status: Native. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Spin to Win: Panfish Secrets for Catching Limits on Spinners, It's Tick Season. Caught by a villager from Thailand, the record-setting catfish was 9 feet long. Reset. [3] It can reportedly weigh up to 350 kg (770 lb). It is not exactly known whether the giant catfish lives in school or on their own, but these fish migrate in schools to spawn. Catfish (order Siluriformes) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish.Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic . As mentioned previously, their preferred habitat is the lower Mekong river. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, The ideal weight for United States farm-raised catfish is 1.7 pounds; it yields 2 (4 to 6-ounce . Found in the Mekong basin, the migratory fish is extremely specific about the environmental conditions. It was the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. File: Giant Mekong Catfish (15657304782).jpg. Photo courtesy of David Peters. [8] 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), Spatial Planning and Private Sector Engagement. The sheer physical and mental stamina required to wrestle this kind of power for hours is extreme. The Critically Endangered, largest freshwater fish in the world, living in the Mekong river, has a life expectancy of 60 years. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never seen in this part of the world. The innovative landing net will weigh and measure your catch while it's still in the net. It is the largest fish ever recorded since Thailand began keeping records in 1981. The largest catfish ever caught, according to The Guiness Book of World Records, was a Mekong giant catfish that weighed 646 pounds. Sort by: Most popular. Like the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Mekong giant catfish symbolizes the ecological integrity of the Mekong River and is one of the Mekong Ecoregions flagship species. In any case, they are an endangered species and shouldn't be kept as pets. Native to the Mekong, it is critically endangered. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Usually you will be into a catfish within 15 minutes more likely only 5 minutes and regularly just the first cast. Jorge Masullo de Aguiar currently holds the world record for the largest Lau-Lau (Piraiba), which is a species of catfish that is native to South America. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. A fluke darting just beneath the surface can be too much for a bass to resist. Dam construction projects, habitat destruction, navigation projects, overfishing, and pollution are believed to be the main reason for their decreasing population. Bungalows nestled in the heart of Thailand. The largest known giant Mekong catfish netted from the Mekong River in Thailand in 2005, with 2.7m (8.86ft) in lenght and weight up to 293kg (646 lb), this female is by far the largest exclusively freshwater fish ever . The record for the largest flathead catfish belongs to Ken Paulie, who landed his big flathead over 20 years ago. The world's largest catfish, the Mekong giant catfish, gets its name from its most common habitat - the Mekong river. The stingray was snagged by a local fisherman south . We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Those catfish that do survive to adulthood have an astounding growth rate becoming nearly that large in just a short five or six years. Trying to track down this elusive giant in an expansive setting like the Mekong River Basin is a daunting task, coupled with the fact that many traditional fish sampling . It took over an hour for the Thai fishermen to reel in the heavy catfish. Officials from Thailand's Inland Fishery Department wanted to use the female Mekong giant catfish for a breeding program, but she ended up dying. How fast can a Mekong giant catfish swim? Although their exact migration routes are unknown, scientists believe that they spend quite some time in the Tonle Sap Lake situated in Cambodia, before moving towards the spawning grounds in northern Thailand. If that's what a young Mekong catfish can do, can you imaging multiplying that strength by hundreds of pounds? WikiMatrix. The weight of a Mekong giant catfish can go up to 646 lb (293 kg). Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week. According to Practical Fishkeeping, there are now over 3,000 species of catfish around the world. They can grow twice as big as a Chinese alligator in length. In addition to the large Goonch, Vgner has caught several other large freshwater fish, including and 286.6 pound (130 kilogram) Arapaima and an 242.5 pound (110 kilogram) Wels catfish. The current population size is unknown. 4. However, as they grow up, the toothless Mekong giant catfish become herbivores. This isn't the only change that comes with age. Can you imagine a catfish with such strength that it can reduce even the most testosterone-filled fisherman to a fragile stupor after just one fight? The shot of adrenaline I got every time I saw my rod bend nearly end to end is akin to an addict's fix. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN), lists the Mekong giant catfish as "critically endangered." | Nearly all of these catfish are listed as the world record for their species in the International Game Fish Associations (IGFA) World Records Database. Syd Ribes highlights two new saltwater lures from SPRO: Flutter Tail Shrimp and Cannon Ball Jig. Unlike other catfish, Mekong giant catfish lose these barbels in adulthood. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. One specimen was documented to be about 10 feet long and some 646 pounds in weight, but it's been suggested that they can grow even larger than this. The record for the largest Goonch ever caught belongs to Jakub Vgner, the host of National Geographic's Fish Warrior. Vgner's Goonch was 165 pounds 5 ounces (75 kilograms) and over 5 feet (1.57 meters) long. It is a freshwater sh, and has not been caught in the brackish water estuary of the Mekong River. Thus, similar to any other species of young fish, baby Mekong giant catfish are called fry. Along with the fishing community, the Thai government is trying to restore the fish in the Mekong River. This giant South American catfish was also over 6.5 feet (2 meters) long. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and . The giant catfish was nearly nine feet long and weighed in at an insane 646 pounds. Despite their behemoth size, many of the largest freshwater fish species are critically endangered, meaning there are few of them left to find. My guide Alley, who barley speaks English, screams with enthusiasm, "Strong woman, strong woman!" In 2005 a man caught a Mekong catfish of 9 feet, weighing 646 pounds, taking the world record for the biggest . Their enormous great and white girths remind me of the Hindenburg blimp They are slow moving, but graceful and powerful with the kind of confidence that can intimidate even the most seasoned angler. CANCEL APPLY. [4] [5] Attaining a length of up to 3 m (9.8 ft), the Mekong giant catfish grows extremely quickly, reaching a mass of 150 to 200 kg (330 to 440 lb) in only six years. Thai fishermen netted a catfish as big as a grizzly bear, setting a world record for freshwater fish, according to researchers who studied the 646-pound Mekong giant catfish for a project to . This is one fish story that does not need any exaggeration. The species' population size is estimated to have decreased by 99% in recent decades most likely due to overfishing for food. In fact, the Piraiba is the largest of the catfish species found in the Amazon. Researchers determined that the record flathead catfish was at least 22 years old, grew very rapidly, and was most likely a male. There is no specific name for the baby Mekong giant catfish. Found in the Mekong River, the Mekong giant catfish does not really possess any danger to human beings. Contributor. TARGET SPECIES: Main target is Giant Mekong catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) (the largest catfish and world biggest freshwater fish) and Striped catfish (Panisius hypopthalmus). Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Thailand allows fishing parks like Bungsamran Lake to operate with stock from fish farms. The lake is well stocked to say the least and weights of . The giant Mekong catfish looks more sorrowful than cute. By noon, I was getting tired; by 2 p.m. my muscles were tearing and shaking; by 4 p.m. my lower back was nearly immobile and wrenched forward; and by 6 p.m. not a fiber in my body could hold out any longer. While their back is mostly grey, their abdomen is white. Wels Catfish. A: Mekong catfish can grow to be 3 meters long and can weigh up to 200 kg. Masullo de Aguiar's Piraiba was caught in 2009 and weighed 341 pounds 11 ounces (155 kilograms). While the exact population size is unknown, there could be as few as a couple of hundred adult Mekong giant catfish fish left. *Please note that this image is of a Paroon Shark Catfish that belongs to the same family as the Mekong Giant Catfish. Paulies flathead catfish was frozen for many years before it was presented to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism in 2016 for further examination. As I pull in one fish after another at 40 pounds, 55 pounds, 68 pounds, 74 pounds, then 80 pounds, I can see why. The catfish weighed in at 736 lbs. Living in the Mekong river, they are believed to be the world's largest freshwater fish. I struggle to re-gain my balance over and over again. Keywords (separated by comma) . How much does a Mekong giant catfish weigh? We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. The catfish weighed in at 736 lbs. During the start of the rainy season, the fish gather together and then head upstream to spawn. Good things come to those who wait. My home away from home while on my journey for the Mekong. The Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas Chevey, 1913) and striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Sauvage, 1878) are 2 of the 11 Pangasianodon species found in Thailand (Roberts & Vidthayanon, 1991).Endemic to the Mekong River, P. gigas is one of the largest freshwater fish, measuring up to 3 m in length and weighing up to 300 kg (Hogan, Moyle, May, Zanden, & Baird, 2004). Mekong giant catfish are commonly cited as having a maximum size of 3 meters and 300 kilograms (approximately 10 feet and 660 pounds). The largest specimen ever caught was 9 feet in length and weight 646 lbs. yarrelli) Origin: Wild Southeast Asia Locale: Middle Mekong Diet: Predator and fish eater Adult Size: 36 Recommended Tank Size: 300 gallon , ideally a large indoor pond Compatibility: Predatory and also likely to be aggressive towards most tankmates. AFTCO's Matt Florentino highlights the features of the new Barricade cold-weather suit, a Best of Category winner at ICAST 2022 in Orlando. On this trip we will bring you to Venuses, where each of our guests has been able to catch Giant Mekong Catfish from 130lbs up to 350 lbs. Previous genetic investigations of the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas Chevey, 1913) and striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Sauvage, 1878) provided discordant results. This moment is like a boxing match where the final outcome is too close to call. According to IUCN the species of Mekong giant catfish, living in the Mekong river, is Critically Endangered. Other resolutions: 320 213 pixels . mekong giant catfish. Paulies flathead catfish weighed 123 pounds (55.79 kilograms) and was over 5 feet (1.55 meters) in length. Fishermen sometimes still capture Mekong giant catfish in the Cambodian section of the Mekong River. 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