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Spot pangasius (Pangasius larnaudii) — Pangasiidae

Spot pangasius

Pangasius larnaudii
Family: Pangasiidae

The Spot pangasius (Pangasius larnaudii) is a freshwater fish of the family Pangasiidae that grows up to 130 cm.

Length
130 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The spot pangasius is a shark catfish (Pangasiidae) from large rivers of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 1.3 metres and has a streamlined, greyish, scaleless body with a conspicuous dark spot above the pectoral fin, short barbels and a deeply forked tail. As an open-water omnivore it migrates through the river and eats fruit, molluscs, crustaceans and fish. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spot pangasius?

The Spot pangasius has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spot pangasius live?

The Spot pangasius lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Spot pangasius get?

The Spot pangasius grows to a maximum of about 130 cm.

Is the Spot pangasius dangerous to humans?

No, the Spot pangasius is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Spot pangasius edible?

Yes, the Spot pangasius is commonly eaten.

More photos

Spot pangasius (Pangasius larnaudii) — Pangasiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Trương Minh Khải (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Spot pangasius (Pangasius larnaudii) — Pangasiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Muséum d'histoire Naturelle (Public domain)
Spot pangasius (Pangasius larnaudii) — Pangasiidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Phoebus 28 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Spot pangasius (Pangasius larnaudii) — Pangasiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kanapol99, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Spot pangasius sourced
Scientific name
Pangasius larnaudii
Family
Pangasiidae
Other names
Spot pangasius verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
130.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pangasius

More from the family Pangasiidae

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