Giant pangasius
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Adults inhabit large rivers. Juveniles are found in larger tributaries . Both young and adults feed on fishes and crustaceans . Larger individuals have been known to feed on carcasses of fowl or dog (which are commonly used for bait) . A migratory species . They spawn just before the rainy season and the young of the year reach a length of about 10 cm by mid-June . Fishery used to be accompanied by rites and ceremonies of a religious nature (Ref 2686). Important food fish and is often referred to in textbooks and popular press or news media . Marketed fresh . Threatened due to over harvesting, habitat loss and pollution .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Fins are pigmented with dusky melanophores. First soft ray in dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins prolonged into a filament . Broad head; black tips on first few anal-fin rays in individuals of all sizes, particularly in juveniles; palatine and vomerine teeth united into a single long crescentic patch . Mouth wide, its width 5.5-5.9 times in SL .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant pangasius is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Giant pangasius is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Giant pangasius is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Tropical; 25°N - 9°N
🌿 Ecology
fishes and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pangasius Sanitwongsei is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Giant pangasius is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant pangasius has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pangasius beani | Smith | 1931 | Synonym |
| Pangasius sanitwangsei | Smith | 1931 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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