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Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Frants Lehmann (2 Stamps) Jean-Francois Helias (4) Karl-Heinz Dau (2 Stamps)

One of the fastest growth rates of any fish in the world, reaching 150 to 200 kg in 6 years. Cited in the Guinness Book of Records as largest freshwater fish. Marketed fresh. Maximum length of 300 cm needs confirmation. Threatened due to over harvesting and habitat loss. Habitat: A migratory species that occurs in medium to large-sized rivers. Reproduction: Little is known on its general pattern of life and migratory journeys for spawning. Aquarium Care: Not fit for an aquarium as this species as the "Mekong giant catfish" does not belong in the home aquarium, as this is one of the worlds largest freshwater fish and as such should be admired from afar! International trade banned (CITES I, since 1.7.1975; CMS Appendix I). Diet: Feeds on detritus and algae on the bottom and feeds only on vegetation in the river but takes other food in captivity. Remarks: In the IUCN red list of threatened species as critically endangered.

Mekong giant catfish

Pangasius gigas, Pangasius paucidens

Pangasiidae

Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya River basin; in cultivation elsewhere in Asia, including Viet Nam and Myanmar.Type locality: Cambodge.

300.0cm. (11ft.4ins)

22-28°C (71-83°F)

6.5-7.5.

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2006. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (05/2006).
IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 123. Sept. 2006.