Giant Pangasius Care Guide
Pangasius sanitwongsei is a critically endangered Mekong and Chao Phraya giant catfish that grows to about 3 m and is unsuited to home tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pangasius sanitwongsei, the giant pangasius, is a shark catfish of the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins. It is one of the largest freshwater fishes, reaching a total length of about 300 cm and a weight up to 300 kg. The species name honours M.R. Suwaphan Sanitwong for supporting Thai fisheries development.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pangasiidae
- Genus: Pangasius
- Scientific name: Pangasius sanitwongsei
- Describer: Smith, 1931
Habitat
The species inhabits deep depressions of large rivers across the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, with juveniles in larger tributaries. It is potamodromous and migratory, undertaking seasonal river movements, and FishBase notes facultative air-breathing.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 5000 L
- Temperature: 22–26 °C
- pH: 6–7.5
- GH: 2–15 °dGH
- Adult size: 200–300 cm
- Lifespan: 5–10 years
Diet
Pangasius sanitwongsei is a predator with a high trophic level of about 4.0. Both juveniles and adults feed on fishes and crustaceans, and larger individuals consume animal carcasses. Captive feeding is typically offered once daily.
Compatibility
A benthopelagic, migratory giant. FishBase records it as harmless to humans, but its enormous adult size makes it unsuitable for home aquariums; it belongs only in very large public facilities. Small fishes and shrimp would be eaten.
Breeding
The species is migratory and spawns before the rainy season, in April and May. Young reach about 10 cm by mid-June. It is not bred in home aquaria.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered, assessed 1 March 2007. Threats include over-harvesting, river damming that blocks migration, habitat loss and pollution.
Pangasius sanitwongsei Breeding Guide
Overview
Pangasius sanitwongsei, the giant pangasius, is a large migratory catfish native to the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins in mainland Southeast Asia and southern China. It can reach about 300 cm standard length and a published weight of around 300 kg, making it one of the largest freshwater fishes. It is a benthopelagic, potamodromous predator feeding on fish and crustaceans, with larger individuals also taking carrion. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Critically Endangered, with overharvesting, habitat loss, river damming and pollution among the main threats.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
In the wild this species is potamodromous, migrating upstream to spawn and remaining downstream at other times. Spawning occurs just before the rainy season, reported around April and May, in muddy areas of large rivers. The Khone Falls divides the wild population into separate groups.
Egg & Fry Care
A spawning event releases roughly 600 eggs about 2 to 2.5 mm in diameter, and no parental care is provided. Young grow quickly, reaching about 10 cm by mid-June after a spring spawn. Conservation-focused breeding programmes operate in Thai hatcheries to help support the species.
Common Challenges
Home reproduction is not possible: adult size, migratory spawning behaviour and the volumes of water required are far beyond any aquarium. The species also has very high fishing vulnerability and protected status in parts of its range, so it is appropriate only for large public or conservation facilities.