Mekong giant catfish
The Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) is a rare species of catfish. It is a part of the shark catfish family. It is one of the biggest species of freshwater catfish. It is endemic to the lower half of the Mekong River. Because of overfishing and habitat loss, the fish is now critically endangered. Sometimes, Mekong giant catfish are raised in aquaculture. Today, the fish are almost exclusively founds in Tonlé Sap lake and Tonle Sap river. It is unknown whether this constitutes one population, or whether there are two distinct ones. The fish is closely related to the Iridescent shark, which is also known as Pangasius.
| Mekong giant catfish | |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Pangasiidae |
| Genus: | Pangasianodon |
| Species: | P. gigas
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| Binomial name | |
| Pangasianodon gigas Chevey, 1931
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| Synonyms | |
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Illustration of a Mekong giant catfish at a Buddhist temple in Chiang Khong.
Mekong Giant Catfish Media
Prehistoric rock art depicting several Mekong giant catfish, at Pha Taem National Park in Thailand
References
- ↑ Hogan, Z. (2011). "Pangasianodon gigas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2011: e.T15944A5324699. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T15944A5324699.en.