Mekong Giant Catfish

river · endangered · giant

Absolutely massive. Mekong giant catfish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 700 pounds. That makes them one of the largest catfish species in the entire world.

Found in Southeast Asia. These catfish live in the Mekong River and nearby areas in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and parts of China. The Mekong River is their home, and they need its flowing waters to survive.

Critically endangered. Overfishing and pollution have made these catfish extremely rare. Dams built on the river also block their migration routes and reduce their habitat.

Shark catfish family. Despite their name, they are not related to sharks at all. They belong to the Pangasiidae family, a group sometimes called shark catfish because of their streamlined body shape.

Population declining fast. Once common throughout the Mekong basin, these giant fish are now seen only rarely. Scientists and local communities are working hard to protect the remaining populations.