FaunaHub
CRCritically EndangeredPartial review

Mekong Giant Catfish

Pangasianodon gigas

Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas), a huge scaleless river catfish.

Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas).

Image: Cool critter channel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

At a glance

IUCN category
CR · Critically Endangered
Animal group
Fish
Population trend
Decreasing
Last verified

Conservation overview

The Mekong giant catfish is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, a huge, scaleless catfish of the Mekong. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.

It migrates long distances along the river and has become extremely rare.

Range & habitat

The Mekong River basin of Southeast Asia.

Major threats

Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.

  • Dams blocking migration
  • Overfishing
  • Habitat change and reduced flow

Why it matters

A giant of one of the world's great rivers, the Mekong giant catfish is a flagship for keeping the Mekong connected and healthy for migratory fish and the people who depend on them.

Gallery

Side view of a Mekong giant catfish.

Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas).

Image: Cool critter channel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources

Sources for Mekong Giant Catfish

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the Mekong giant catfish?
It is among the largest freshwater fish on Earth, historically reaching around three metres and several hundred kilograms — though such giants are now extremely rare.
Why is the Mekong giant catfish Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite dams that block its long migrations, overfishing, and habitat change and reduced river flow. See the IUCN Red List.

Last updated: