Giga Pangasianodon – Wikipedia
The giant mekong catfish ( Pangasianodon gigas ) is a kind of catfish belonging to the family of freshwater pangasidae. It is one of the 10 largest freshwater fish on the known planet [ first ] . He is critical of extinction.
Until June 21, 2022, this catfish held the world record for the largest fish ever fished in fresh water: 3 m For 293 kg. The new record holder is a boramy line caught in Cambodia and which weighs 300 kg for 4 meters long.
A giant mekong catfish has been captured in northern Thailand, the . Almost 2 months after this taking, the fishermen brought to the press that he weighed 293 kg for 3 m long. It is the largest giant catfish in the Thai Mekong captured since the registers hold, started in 1981, but also the largest catfish ever caught in fresh water.
The giant Mekong fish are not yet well studied, so it is possible that they can reach higher proportions.
He can live more than 60 years in nature.
The giant mekong catfish is endemic to the Mekong river.
This fish is herbivore. It feeds on plants and algae which he finds at the bottom of the water.
Some sources believe that P. gigas belongs to the genre pangasius , while others classify it in Pangasianodon . This is due to the variability in the recognition of the level of Pangasianodon , sometimes considered as a sub-genre of pangasius Or sometimes as a full -fledged genre.
The “Odon” suffix refers to his teeth, present only during the first two years of his life. After their loss, he ends up with his only gums, unlike most other catfish of which the platelet teeth resemble sandpaper. The absence of teeth is one of the simple ways to identify a giant mekong catfish.
Endemic to the lower half of the Mekong, this catfish is in danger of extinction because of overfishing, as well as the decrease in water quality due to the development and construction of upstream dams. Another danger that threatens him is his hybridization with Pangasianodon hypophthalmus for aquaculture.
The IUCN’s red list lists it as a critical in danger of extinction, while the number of specimens living in nature is not known. The data relating to the captures indicate that the population has dropped by 80 % Between 1995 and 2009. It was also registered in Annex I of CITES, stipulating the prohibition of international marketing of this species.
In Anthropologists’ Cookbook (1977), Jessica Kuper notes the importance of dad For the Lao people and points out:
- ‘ In the past, this huge fish, which is only found in the Mekong, has been quite abundant, but in recent years, the number of catches fell to forty then, thirty then twenty, and in 1976 perhaps even less. It is sad because it is a noble and mysterious fish, venerated by the Lao. »
Mekong giant catfish fishing is illegal in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, but the prohibitions seem ineffective and the fish continues to be captured in these three countries. However, in recognition of the threat of extinction of the species, nearly 60 Thai fishermen decided to stop the capture of catfish in danger in danger in , to mark the 60 It is Anniversary of the accession to the throne of the king of Thailand Bhumibol Admyadej.
Thailand is the only country to authorize fishing for personal farming. This helps to save the species from the lakes, the purchase of fry by the government farming program generating additional income which allows the reproduction program to operate.
If fishing lakes like the Bung Sam Ran in Bangkok have specimens reaching 140 kg , most of them are 18 kg . Some companies specialize in the capture of the biggest fish. These fish are not aggressive but accustomed to the strong currents of the Mekong; They are very powerful.
You can also see the giant Mekong catfish in the Bangkok river, going to feed them at the temples; The biggest specimen identified to date weighs approximately 25 kg .
This species must reach 50-70 kg To reproduce, but does not reproduce in the lakes. The Thailand Fisheries Department has launched a breeding program to renew stocks of the Mekong, it still remains to be seen if the fish frantic in captivity.
Between 1970 and 2012, the number of individuals dropped 94% [ 2 ] .
Taxonomic references [ modifier | Modifier and code ]
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