The Mekong giant catfish is a huge, grey, toothless catfish of the Mekong River. Once revered and widely fished, it is now one of the world’s most endangered freshwater fish.
Interesting facts
- Adult giant catfish have no teeth.
- A catfish caught in northern Thailand in 2005 weighed about 293 kg.
- It migrates long distances up the Mekong to spawn.
- Wild numbers have fallen by more than 80 percent.
- New dams on the Mekong block its migration routes.
- Captive breeding programmes release young fish into the river.
Behaviour
Giant catfish live in deep river channels and migrate upstream to spawn, possibly in northern Thailand and Laos.
Breeding and young
Little is known about its spawning in the wild. Captive breeding has been achieved in Thailand.
Threats and conservation
Dams blocking migration, overfishing, habitat change and pollution.
Where to see it
- The Mekong River in Cambodia and Laos (very rarely seen)
- Conservation projects in Cambodia’s Stung Treng region
- Fishing parks and hatcheries in Thailand
- Public aquariums in Asia
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
