Pangasius » Species

Pangasius Hypophthalmus - (Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus)

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:46:59 +0000

Pangasius Hypophthalmus (nowadays after a reclassification Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a freshwater fish of the Shark catfish family (Pangasiidae), which populates the river systems of the Mekong and Chao Phraya in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In Bangladesh, Singapore and the Philippines stocks were introduced as the consequence of commercial farming. There, Pangasius Hypophthalmus constitutes due to its greed and its competitive advantages over native fish some environmental problem.

The Hypophthalmus species has much of the characteristics of all shark catfish (Pangasiidae): it is scaleless and features an elongated body. An adult Pangasius will grow to a length of up to 150 centimeters, the maximum weight might reach 44 kilograms. The body is dark gray with a lighter belly and dark gray to black fins. Very old and large animals are uniformly gray, but the newly hatched are yellowish and almost translucent with pronounced whiskers, while older juveniles start to resemble the adult. The Hypophthalmus lives in groups. Its food ranges from algae, plants, zooplankton, molluscs, insects and organic waste to larger animals including fish, shellfish and fruit.

Traditionally, Pangasius Hypophthalmus has been fished in the wild, but it is increasingly also raised in farms all over Southeast Asia. The total production amounts to several hundred thousand tons per year. The majority is exported to Europe, where Pangasius is popular because of its delicate, mild-tasting meat and its low price.

Main producing countries of Pangasius are Vietnam and Thailand, to a lesser extent, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and India. For quite some years Pangasius has been farmed in the United States, too. But the main producers, such as Vietnam raised their production significantly. Vietnam raised the production of Pangasius and “Basa”, the trade label for the Pangasius Hypophthalmus and Pangasius bocourti from some 400,000 tons in 2005 to over one million tons in 2007, having a market value of more than 700 million U.S. dollars. Pangasius is farmed using primarily flooded rice fields. The fish are kept in special ponds or within cages natural flowing waters until the frozen filets are exported to the rest of the world. The main consumers are countries of the European Union (Read more on Pangasius farming).

Pangasius Gigas - Mekong Giant Catfish

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:55:29 +0000

Pangasius Gigas, better: Mekong giant catfish or Pangasianodon gigas is the largest species of the Shark catfish family (Pangasiidae) and one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Pangasius gigas (not to be confused with Pangasius Sanitwongsei) is exclusively found in the Mekong River and due to overfishing and loss of habitat seriously endangered. The Mekong giant catfish is characterized by a very quick growth, thus several attempts have been made to raise it in farms.

The Mekong giant catfish does not feature scales and has an elongated, laterally compressed body. Adults can reach a total body length of up to three meters and a weight of 300 kg. Females tend to be longer and heavier than males. The Mekong giant catfish is silvery-gray with a pale white belly. The fins are always gray. Juveniles are darker with a silvery, shiny abdomen and have two stripes along the flanks. The head accounts for up to 14 to 21% of their standard length and is wider than that of Pangasius hypophthalmus, the most common species on the world market. However, it is not that wide as of the Giant Pangasius (Pangasius Sanitwongsei).

The Mekong giant catfish is endemic in the Mekong region. Originally, this included the whole Mekong River and its tributaries in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Vietnam and southern China. Today, Pangasius Gigas is almost exclusively found in the Tonle Sap Lake and the nearby areas of the Mekong River. The Mekong giant catfish is a pure freshwater fish, living in large rivers preferring water depths of 10 or more meters. They prefer rocky or gravel substrate and are occasionally found in underwater caves.

While young animals feed on zooplankton and small crustaceans – they are even prone to cannibalism – adult Mekong giant catfish are pure herbivores, feeding mainly on algae.

The Mekong giant catfish has been a popular edible fish for a long time due to its size and its tasty meat. Here the meat is tastier than after the spawning migration. However, since the 1950s, annual catches decreased from several hundred to a few individual catches. The stock seems to be in a free fall, reaching a maximum of some 2,500 animals in the wild.

Initial attempts to keep the Mekong giant catfish in farms were started in 1967 in Thailand, as their rapid growth seems promising for commercial use. 1983 was the year of artificial reproduction and the annual production reaches currently over three hundred thousand fish. However, it is still unclear whether attempts of reintroduction to the wild can have the desired positive impact.

Giant Pangasius – Pangasius Sanitwongsei

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:12:24 +0000

Pangasius sanitwongsei or the Giant pangasius, not to be confused with Pangasius Gigas, is a species of the Shark catfish family (Pangasiidae). The sanitwongsei species is to be found in the river systems of the Mekong and the Chao Phraya River in Cambodia, in Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

The Giant pangasius has the typical build of shark catfish and can reach a total length of up to three meters and a weight of some 300 kg. Thus, sanitwongsei is one of the biggest Pangasius species. Head and mouth are wider than of any other species of the genus. The fins are mainly dark.

The Giant pangasius populates in groups of up to 50 animals the main currents of large rivers. Young animals are also found in smaller tributaries and estuaries and might even reach into brackish water. Adult sanitwongsei do not migrate in the flooded areas, even in the rainy season, despite most other species after spawning. The Giant pangasius feeds primarily on fish, but also crustaceans. Larger animals might also eat carrion or floating plants.

The species is traditionally fished, using poultry or dog carcasses as bait. Large animals are partially obscured before the sale by cutting off the fins as they sell worse on local markets for being known as scavengers. Due to their size and rapid growth attempts were made to raise Pangasius sanitwongsei in farms. The species is seriously threatened by overfishing and habitat loss as. Already in 1967 the stock was estimated at a maximum of 2,000 animals.

Pangasius Pangasius

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:37:59 +0000

Pangasius pangasius is another species of the Pangasius genus within the family of shark catfish (Pangasiidae). Pangasius pangasius occurs in large rivers and in the estuary areas on the Indian subcontinent and in Myanmar. It may be found in the Ganges, Godavari, the Irrawaddy and possibly in Krishna. Pangasius pangasius is an important edible fish that is caught in the wild but also farm raised in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. This way, the species was probably introduced to other areas.

Pangasius pangasius may reach up to three meters of body size, which makes it together with Pangasius gigas the largest species of the genus. The muzzle tapers while young, but is rounded off for older animals. The eyes are small. Their body has no particular features despite their immense size, however, the caudal fin of adult animals is of a bright yellow color.
Whereas the pups populate estuary freshwater areas, adults migrate later into brackish waters and even coastal areas. Pangasius pangasius feeds on molluscs, insects, other invertebrates, fish and plants. Sexual maturity is reached when the fish reach some 60 cm; their life expectancy might be well over 10 years.

Pangasius Larnaudii

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:19:33 +0000

Pangasius Larnaudii is another species within the family of Shark catfish – Pangasiidae. It populates mainly rivers in the Mekong and Chao Phraya in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia but also Myanmar. Just as many other Pangasius species, Pangasius larnaudii is commercially exploited.

Pangasius larnaudii differs from other species by a large black spot just above the pectoral fin. The other fins feature a thread-like processes and the caudal fin usually wear a black stripe. Pangasius larnaudii may reach a length of about 80 cm to 130 cm and a weight of up to 4.8 kilograms.

Larnaudii populates large river systems and is found in both fast-flowing and slower, but deep waters. Just as other Pangasius species, the spawn will be deposited at the beginning of the rainy season, before the adults will migrate into the floodplain. Larnaudii feeds on small fish, crustaceans, molluscs and plants.

Pangasius Bocourti – Basa Fish

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:04:57 +0000

When talking about the Basa fish we often refer to Pangasius bocourti (though sometimes Pangasius Hypothalamus might be labeled improperly as such in the markets), which is the scientific name for the fish. Basa instead corresponds with the Vietnamese name for the fish.

Pangasius bocourti is a species of the shark catfish family (Pangasiidae). The species is present in the river systems of the Mekong and the Chao Phraya River in Cambodia, furthermore in Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Pangasius bocourti is a popular edible fish, often raised in farms and sold worldwide.
The Basa fish is a solid built fish with a bluish-black back. The head is wider than long and rounded with a blunt, rounded snout that has a broad white band around the mouth. On each side of the jaw teeth are each one group of teeth. Bocourti reaches a length of up to 120 cm.

The Basa fish populates major rivers and is found here, both in speedy as well as in slow-flowing sections. Though it feeds mainly on plants Pangasius bocourti also might eat arthropods, molluscs and smaller fish. Spawning begins at the onset of the rainy season. After the eggs are deposited the adults migrate into the flooded areas.

Pangasius (Basa) Filet: The Classic Recipe

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:42:58 +0000

Pangasius filet is firm and tasty, perfect for quick sauting. Due to its firm and tasty meat you can obtain a delicious meal without big effort. The basic recipe is just as simple as this:

Ingredients

2 Basa filets

Olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Some salt and pepper
Fish seasoning, according to preferences
Optional: 1 clove garlic, crushed
1 lime

Directions

Take the thawed Pangasius filets and dry them with some kitchen paper. Season them with some salt and pepper or fish seasoning of your choice, while pre-heating the olive oil in a skillet.

Optional: If you like garlic, you could also marinade the Basa filets before: chop one clove garlic, mix it with some olive oil, salt and pepper and apply it to the filets. Now let the filets rest for at least 10 minutes, better 20 minutes up to an hour.

Now, just saute the filets in the pan until they turn golden. Give the Basa filets on a plate and garnish with parsley and some lime. Serve with rice or potatoes. A dry white wine fits well.

Pangasius Filet in Skillet

Tips

The meat of the Basa fish is mild, yet very tasty on its own. There is no need for special seasoning in order to obtain a good result.