Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822)
Pangas catfish
Pangasius pangasius
photo by Rahman, A.K.A.

Family:  Pangasiidae (Shark catfishes)
Max. size:  300 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 6 - 7.5; dH range: 25; depth range - 50 m, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: large rivers of Indian subcontinent and Myanmar (Ganges, Krishna?, Godavari, Irrawaddy). Widely introduced in its geographical range for aquaculture. Reports from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are based on misidentifications.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 29-32. Eye small, its diameter more than 7 times in head length (in 18 cm long specimens); bright yellow caudal fin in adults; maxillary barbel extends to gill aperture; 23-28 gill rakers on first arch (Ref. 12693).
Biology:  Found in large rivers and estuaries (Ref. 4833). Occurs in high estuary (freshwater tidal zone) as juveniles, moving to brackish water as sub-adults, and finally as adults to river mouths and inshore areas (Ref. 12693). Longevity given as 10 years (Ref. 2686) but appears too low. Feeds on snails, other mollusks (Ref. 1479) and plants (Ref. 4833). Reared for consumption in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam; excellent food fish with very white fine grained sweet flesh (Ref 2686). Marketed fresh (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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