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Pangasius mekongensis Gustiano, Teugels & Pouyaud, 2003

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Description: This species is similar and closely related to P. kunyit and P. sabahensis. These new species, which belong to the subgenus Pangasius (Pangasius), are morphologically and genetically closely related to P. kunyit sensu stricto. Pangasius mekongensis sp. n. is characterized by the combination of a long, broad and rounded head with an elongated snout (head length 22.1-26.9% SL; head depth 11.3-13.9% SL; head width 14.8-20.0% SL; snout length 43.4-54.0% HL); the short distance from the snout to the isthmus (88.4-102.4% SNL); a robust dorsal spine (width 6.6-8.7% HL); the short palatine toothplates (length 6.6-12.8% HL); and the possession of 16-23 gill rakers. The pictured specimen weighed in at 8.36 kg. and was captured in Lao PDR. Habitat: Occurs throughout the lower Mekong basin, but is relatively rare. It is most common from Nakhon Phanom in the North to Kandal Province (Cambodia) in the south. In Lao PDR and Thailand its presence is limited to a few months every year. Reproduction: After spawning in the Mekong mainstream, the hatched larvae drift with the water flow to their downstream nursery feeding ground. These are mainly associated with flooded vegetation during the flood season. Diet: Omnivorous: mainly insects, worms, submerged plants and seeds. Etymology: The specific name mekongensis: –ensis, Latin suffix denoting place: Mekong River basin, Vietnam, type locality.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Pangasiidae

Distribution:

Asia: Vietnam; Mekong River. Type locality: Lower Mekong River, Vietnam.

Size:

90.0cm. (36ins)

Temp:

22-26°C (71-79°F)

p.H.

7.0-8.5.

IUCN Red List

This fish is widely distributed throughout its range; no major threats have been recorded until now, however the species could be vulnerable to fishery pressures and impacts from future mainstream dams. Research into harvest trends and potential threats is needed, and the species should be re-assessed if further data become available or if mainstream dams are developed. It is listed as Least Concern at present, but needs updating (IUCN 2012).

Reference:

Eschmeyer, W.N. (ed.), 2004. Catalog of fishes. Updated database version of January 2004. Database dump. Catalog databases as made available to FishBase in January 2004.
Gustiano, Teugels & Pouyaud, 2003. Revision of the Pangasius kunyit catfish complex, with description of two new species from South-East Asia (Siluriformes; Pangasiidae). Journal of Natural History, Volume 37, Issue 3 February 2003 , pages 357 - 376.
Poulsen, A.F., K.G. Hortle, J. Valbo-Jorgensen, S. Chan, C.K.Chhuon, S. Viravong, K. Bouakhamvongsa, U. Suntornratana, N. Yoorong, T.T. Nguyen and B.Q. Tran. 2004. Distribution and Ecology of Some Important Riverine Fish Species of the Mekong River Basin. MRC Technical Paper No. 10. ISSN: 1683-1489.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.
Vidthayanon, C. 2012. Pangasius mekongensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012.

Family: Pangasiidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Pangasius mekongensis

Pangasius mekongensis
View of barbels

Pangasius mekongensis
View of snout

Pangasius mekongensis
View of gape of mouth

Pangasius mekongensis
Dorsal view

Pangasius mekongensis
Caudal view

Pangasius mekongensis

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