Home · Pangasiidae · Manytooth shark catfish
Manytooth shark catfish (Pangasius polyuranodon) — Pangasiidae

Manytooth shark catfish

Pangasius polyuranodon
Family: Pangasiidae

The Manytooth shark catfish (Pangasius polyuranodon) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pangasiidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Brackish
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The manytooth shark catfish is a shark catfish (Pangasiidae) from large rivers of the Mekong basin and Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 80 cm and has a streamlined, laterally compressed, silver-grey body with a broad mouth full of teeth, barbels and an adipose fin, and swims like a shark in open water. As a predator it hunts fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The stout, serrated dorsal and pectoral spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Manytooth shark catfish?

The Manytooth shark catfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Manytooth shark catfish live?

The Manytooth shark catfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Manytooth shark catfish get?

The Manytooth shark catfish grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Manytooth shark catfish dangerous to humans?

The Manytooth shark catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Veeltand-haaimeerval sourced
English name
Manytooth shark catfish sourced
Scientific name
Pangasius polyuranodon
Family
Pangasiidae

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
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pangasius

More from the family Pangasiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →