Pangasius » Vietnamese Pangasius

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.