Group: Fishes.

The Mekong River Delta is one of the three most threatened deltas in the world from the impacts of climate change. (300kg), 10 feet (3m), Defining features: Very elongated dorsal fin, Distribution in the Greater Mekong: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan Province (China). The Mekong River flows through many Asian countries, descending into Vietnam with the name of the Mekong River. Join us to make change. Today, this section is free-flowing and unimpeded by dams.

To meet the region’s urgent energy demands, WWF promotes sustainable hydropower projects on selected tributaries of the Mekong River, prioritising those that already have hydropower dams developed on them. View our inclusive approach to conservation. Body Length. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The river provides an endless source of cool water for fields, which is a source of alluvial deposits year after year. A behemoth that can reach near-mythical proportions, this aquatic giant is migratory and requires extensive stretches of river for its seasonal migration. The proposed dam is a threat to the survival of the Mekong giant catfish, and could contribute to the escalation of climate change impacts to the Mekong River Delta. Like the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Mekong giant catfish symbolizes the ecological integrity of the Mekong River and is one of the Mekong Ecoregion’s flagship species. Mekong Giant Catfish, Scientific Name: Pangasianodon gigas. Speak up for species and places through WWF's Action Center.

It has grey to white coloring, no stripes, no teeth, and has little to no barbells. This will reduce the ability of the delta to replenish itself and lead to increased coastal erosion and greater vulnerability to climate change impacts such as inundation and saltwater intrusion from sea level rise.

As the catfish is a long-distance migrant between the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia and the Mekong River in northern Thailand and Laos, any dam built on the mainstream of the lower Mekong River will prevent the species from migrating to its spawning grounds. 1250 24th Street, N.W. This report highlights the dangers associated with hydropower development on the mainstream of the lower Mekong River basin. By Scientific name, Didn't find the info you were looking for? The Giant Mekong catfish is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world. CR-IUCN: 2011. Like the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Mekong giant catfish symbolizes the ecological integrity of the Mekong River and is one of the Mekong Ecoregion’s flagship species. Also known as: Paroon shark; ChaoPhraya giant catfish, Maximum size: 660 lbs. Other Names and/or Listed subspecies: Mekong Giant Catfish, Mekong River Catfish. Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam Creature Profile. Up to 320cm.

The Sayabouly dam, located in northern Laos, is the first lower Mekong River mainstream dam to enter a critical stage of assessment before member countries of the Mekong River Commission advise on whether to approve its construction. The Mekong giant catfish is the largest freshwater fish in the world, and is endemic to the Mekong basin of Southeast Asia.

Der Mekong-Riesenwels (Pangasianodon gigas) ist die größte Art der Familie der Haiwelse (Pangasiidae) und einer der größten Süßwasserfische der Welt. Fishermen sometimes still capture Mekong giant catfish in the Cambodian section of the Mekong River. The 1995 agreement of the Mekong River Commission should be fully recognized and endorsed; in particular the procedures for notification, prior consultation and agreement. This area is one of the last places in the world where the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish is believed to be spawning in the wild.

(300kg), 10 feet (3m) Defining features: Very elongated dorsal fin Distribution in the Greater Mekong: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan Province (China). Status/Date Listed as Endangered: EN-US FWS: June 2, 1970. In 2005, a colossal 9-foot (2.7m), 645-pound (293kg), car-sized specimen was caught in northern Thailand and was recorded as the largest freshwater catch.

“Lower Mekong River mainstream” refers to the mainstream of the Mekong River beginning just below the Chinese border. Donate to support WWF's conservation efforts and select three pairs of socks to kick up your style! WWF’s River of Giants reportAny impact on the ecological balance of the river also threatens the sustainability of the aquatic resources that support millions of people. World's largest freshwater fish.

WWF’s new River of Giants: giant fish of the Mekong report profiles four giant fish living in the Mekong that rank within the top 10 largest freshwater fish on the planet. There are 11 hydropower dams planned for the lower mainstream of Mekong River mainstream. This will mean that the species cannot increase its numbers and its population will plummet to unrecoverable levels. This will potentially displace millions of people and cause the loss of agricultural land worth millions of dollars. Endemic to the Greater Mekong, Average lifespan in the wild: Unknown, but can reach 20 years in captivity, Threats: Overharvesting for local and commercial fisheries, habitat loss, pollution and aquarium trade, See close-up footage of the Mekong Giant Catfish.© WWF, Join a WWF scientist as he takes samples from the Mekong River.© WWF. © 1986 Panda Symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), Spatial Planning and Private Sector Engagement. Scientific Name. Building the Sayabouly dam would reduce sediment and nutrients from flowing downstream to the Mekong River Delta. This trend may continue, especially with future dam projects threatening to block catfish migration routes as well as destruction of rapids and critical spawning habitat. Ranked as the third largest fish in the world, perhaps the most famous catfish in all of Asia is the gigantic Mekong giant catfish. It can be found in the Mekong River Delta, in Laos and Cambodia. WWF supports a delay in the approval of the mainstream dams, including the Sayabouly hydropower dam in Sayabouly Province, Laos, to ensure a comprehensive study is undertaken to fully understand all the positive and negative impacts of their construction and operation. Pangasianodon gigas. WWF encourages others to join in supporting the Mekong countries to commit to the study phase. Scientific Name: Pangasianodon gigas. Juveniles have barbells that shrink as they grow older. For largely unknown reasons probably including overfishing and habitat degradation, population size of Mekong giant catfish has been steadily decreasing since the 1970’s, probably by over 80%.

WWF is developing tools to help assess which are the best tributaries in the lower Mekong River basin to develop hydropower on, and which ones should be kept free flowing if the ecological integrity of the whole Mekong river system is to be maintained. Conservation efforts are currently underway to gain critical data on catfish distribution, migration, and spawning, to better manage catfish protected areas, as well as to reduce fishing pressure on giant catfish and raise public and media awareness.

The Mekong giant catfish can be saved, but it will take a level of commitment from all countries of the lower Mekong, as well as international organizations and … As one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, it is endemic to the Mekong Basin and formerly inhabited long stretches of the Mekong River from southern Cambodia through Thailand to northern Lao PDR. Washington, DC 20037. Giant Mekong Catfish are big river fish native to the Mekong basin. Watch WWF’s Dekila Chungyalpa (at minute 110:06) as she testifies in front of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on “Challenges to Water and Security in Southeast Asia.”Read the written testimony. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Er kommt ausschließlich im Mekong vor und gilt durch Überfischung und Verlust des Lebensraums als vom Aussterben bedroht. Share. Did you know?

These make up between 40-70 percent of the catch of fish in the Mekong. Our knowledgeable staff usually responds to any question within 24 hours, Breeding Corydoras, Brochis and Aspidoras catfish, Breeding Bristlenose catfish - Ancistrus species, Breeding Corydoras barbatus, Banded Corydoras / Bearded catfish, Tatia perugiae - Driftwood Catfish - Perugia's Woodcatfish, Spawning Bristlenose Plecostamus (Ancistrus dolichopterus), Breeding Synodontis multipunctatus - cuckoo catfish. Register for free and ask your question in our Aquarium forum ! Did you know? Many scientists and local fishermen consider the section of the Mekong River between Chang Rai, Thailand, and Bokeo, Laos, a critical area for spawning. © 2020 WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature© 1986 Panda Symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund)® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark Creative Commons license. Length. Located in Southeast Asia, this giant catfish is unique. There are at least 50 migratory species which are highly vulnerable to mainstream dam development. The river from this point travels through Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam before it empties into the South China Sea.

IUCN: Critically Endangered; CITES: Appendix I, Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature. Scientific name: Pangasius sanitwongsei Also known as: Paroon shark; ChaoPhraya giant catfish Date of discovery: Smith, 1931 Maximum size: 660 lbs. Click to view a map of the region. Endemic to the Greater Mekong Scientific name: Pangasius gigas The Giant Mekong Catfish is also know as: Pa beuk, Pla ma fai, Pla buk, Pla hua kum hang hum, Cá tra dầu and Trey reach.