Giant Pangasius – Pangasius Sanitwongsei

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.