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Mekong sheatfish (Hemisilurus mekongensis) — Siluridae

Mekong sheatfish

Hemisilurus mekongensis
Family: Siluridae

The Mekong sheatfish (Hemisilurus mekongensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Siluridae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
4.0–4.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Mekong sheatfish is a scaleless catfish (Siluridae) from large rivers of the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 80 cm and has an elongate, laterally compressed body with a conspicuously downturned, snout-like mouth and a pair of barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it migrates through the river and searches for molluscs, crustaceans and plant material. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mekong sheatfish?

The Mekong sheatfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Mekong sheatfish live?

The Mekong sheatfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Mekong sheatfish get?

The Mekong sheatfish grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Mekong sheatfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Mekong sheatfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Mekong sheatfish edible?

Yes, the Mekong sheatfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mekong-snuitmeerval sourced
English name
Mekong sheatfish sourced
Scientific name
Hemisilurus mekongensis
Family
Siluridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
4.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Siluridae

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