SCOTCAT.COM
your internet guide to all things catfish
Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) |
Image contributors to this species: |
Acuario Marcelo (1) Leigh Murphy (2) Allan James (1) Nishant Kakani (2) Jean-Francois Helias (5) |
ScotCat Sources: |
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Other Sources: |
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Relevant Information: |
Description: Fins dark grey or black; 6 branched dorsal-fin rays; gill rakers normally developed; young with a black stripe along lateral line and a second long black stripe below lateral line, large adults uniformly grey. Dark stripe on the middle of anal fin; dark stripe in each caudal lobe; small gill rakers regularly interspersed with larger ones. Body shape (shape guide): elongated. Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is a catfish which should never be imported due to the eventual size that it can attain, and the fact that it is a very nervous and skittish fish, which does not fare well in the confines of cramped aquaria. All too often this catfish is offered for sale as a juvenile fish at around 75-100mm and is quite often labeled as Pangasius sutchi or Iridescent Shark. Never the less these catfish, rightly or wrongly, are bred commercially in large ponds for the aquarium trade. Habitat: Adults inhabit large rivers. Aquarium Care: Not fit for aquarium use. Etymology: The specific name hypophthalmus: With an eye-spot below, (under). |
Common Name: |
Iridescent Shark |
Synonyms: |
Pangasius pangasius, Helicophagus hypophthalmus, Pangasius pleurotaenia, Pangasius sutchi, Pangasius hypophthalmus. |
Family: |
Pangasiidae |
Distribution: |
Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya, and perhaps Mekong basins. Introduced into additional river basins for aquaculture. |
Size: |
130.0cm. (52ins) |
Temp: |
22-26°C (71 -79°F) |
p.H. |
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6.5-7.5. |
IUCN Red List |
As a large-bodied, commercially valuable, migratory species, this fish is particularly vulnerable to ongoing threats from over-exploitation, habitat degradation (including changes in water quality and flow), and fragmentation of river habitat. Based on reduction in extent of occurrence (nearly extirpated from the Chao Phraya and Thai Mekong), decline in past abundance (and expected future declines arising from continued exploitation and habitat decline resulting from potential hydro-power dam development on the mainstream of the Mekong) the species is assessed as Endangered (A2bcd+A4bcd), but needs updating (IUCN 2011). |
Reference: |
Roberts, T.R. and C.
Vidthayanon, 1991. Systematic revision of
the Asian catfish family Pangasiidae, with biological
observations and descriptions of three new species.
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 143:97-144. |
Family: Pangasiidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails |
Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Albino |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus Juvenile |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus Albino |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus Albino |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus Albino & Normal |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus Head view |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus |
 Pangasianodon
hypophthalmus Caught by Image contributor; J-F Helias |
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