Among the unfortunately growing list of endangered marine animals is the Thailand Giant Catfish. The Thailand Giant Catfish has been endangered since June 2, 1970. They are also sometimes referred to as the Mekong Giant Catfish. These catfish are endangered in the country of Thailand.

The Thailand Giant Catfish’s natural habitat is in the Mekong basin of Thailand. They are, unfortunately, the most vulnerable freshwater species. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Thailand Giant Catfish is the largest freshwater fish in the entire world. When they are fully grown, they can be over 9.8 feet long. Their weight can reach an astonishing weight of 650lbs. These fish grow at the fastest rate in comparison to any other fish in the whole world. With that being said, they can reach 400lbs just by 6 years of age which is incredible.

Their coloration is gray to white. These fish do not have any stripes or markings. However, the Thailand Giant Catfish is easily identified among other large catfish by their lack of teeth. They also have almost no barbels, which is another easily identifiable feature of these catfish.

While the Thailand Giant Catfish do migrate, they can only survive in freshwater. Between the months of October and December they migrate from the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia to the Mekong River. After that, they are believed to migrate to northeastern Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to spawn. It isn’t definitive as to what their diet consists of. However, it is believed that they eat other fish as well as some mammals, such as goats.

In the early 1900′s the Thailand Giant Catfish was reported to exist in great numbers. However, by the 1970′s disappearance of the species had been reported by local fisheries. Their population has decreased by 80% over the past 13 years.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.

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