FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
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If you find learning about different species of fish interesting, then you should definitely read about the giant pangasius. The giant pangasius endemic to Asia is also known by common names like pangasid catfish, Chao Phraya giant catfish, and paroon shark. The giant pangasius, paroon shark, Chao Phraya giant catfish, or pangasid catfish is a member of the order Siluriformes and is a species of catfish. It was given the sceitific name Pangasius sanitwongsei. The scientific name 'Pangasius sanitwongsei' is given after M. R. Suwaphan Sanitwong who was a great supporter of fisheries in Thailand.
The giant pangasius is a silverish or dark brown colored fish with dark grey pectoral, dorsal and pelvic fins. The body of the species is elongated and the head is compressed that makes the fish look a little intimidating. They are currently listed as Critically Endangered as years of overfishing have affected their population.
To learn more about the giant pangasius, read on. Check out sand tiger shark and African catfish to learn about other species.
Giant pangasius is a species of freshwater fish that is a part of the shark catfish family. It belongs to the order Siluriformes and genus Pangasius.
The Chao Phraya giant catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei) or giant pangasius belongs to the Actinopterygii class of the Animalia kingdom. It is a member of the fish family Pangasiidae and Phylum Chordata. It also goes by the names pangasid catfish and paroon shark.
The populations of the Chao Phraya giant catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei) have declined over the years. Moreover, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN, the population is decreasing further. However, the exact number of giant pangasius living in this world is not known.
The giant pangasius is endemic to Asia. It inhabits the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins in Lao, Thailand, Cambodia, PDR, and Vietnam, as evident from their common name Chao Phraya giant catfish. Apart from the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, this species of fish is found in Central Anatolia.
The giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) is a freshwater fish native to the basins of Asia. Large rivers surrounded by rainforests are the natural habitat for the giant pangasius catfish.
Being often kept in captivity, this species can live in an aquarium. The length of the aquarium should be big enough for it to swim around freely. It is noticed that the length of the fish is not fully reached if kept in a smaller aquarium.
Unfortunately, very little is known about if the giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) likes living singly or in groups.
The lifespan of the giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) remains unknown.
During the mating season, the giant pangasius, paroon shark, or Chao Phraya giant catfish swims to a muddier area. They mostly spawn right before the monsoon season. Like fishes of many other species, the female releases their eggs in the water and the male releases their sperm simultaneously. The clutch consists of about 600 eggs. This species of fish, are not much protective of the eggs or the juveniles. They tend to swim away after spawning and let the eggs be unattained.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN has given the giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) the status of Critically Endangered. The populations of the species of pangasius have declined drastically over the years.
The Critically Endangered species of fish giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) has a sliver and brown-colored body with dusky pigments. It grows quite a long elongated body and has a flat wide head. The fish has about 26 rays in their anal fins. The pectoral fins, the caudal fins, and the dorsal fins, and the pelvic fins have a dark grayish coloration.
The giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) with their elongated body and the depressed head does not really appear cute. The overall color of the fish is silverish and brown and the pectoral, caudal, dorsal, and pelvic fins are dark grey so they do not appear colorful like a yellow tang either. Moreover, the length of the pangasius is quite big and can intimidate anybody.
Not much is known about the giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) communication. Fishes, in general, communicate through vibrations that they send through the water.
Giant pangasius is a large species of pangasius. It can reach a length of 9.8 ft (3 m). If we compare the length of the giant pangasius with a channel catfish, the giant pangasius is way bigger.
The exact speed range at which the giant pangasius swims is not known.
Being one of the largest species of freshwater fishes, the giant pangasius can weigh up to 660 lb (300 kg).
There is no specific name for male and female fishes. They are referred to as male giant pangasius and female giant pangasius.
A baby or juvenile giant pangasius can be referred to as 'fry'.
The giant pangasius preys on a smaller species found near their habitat range. Various crustaceans become a part of their food chart. Apart from that, smaller fishes found in the river, shrimps, and crabs are also food to these large Critically Endangered species.
No, giant pangasius cannot be considered dangerous. They are not a threat to humans in any way.
The giant pangasius can be seen in public aquariums. It needs a large-sized aquarium where it can swim freely and grow accordingly.
However, as they are Critically Endangered and the population is decreasing further, keeping this fish in captivity is not advised.
The giant pangasius is safe for consumption by humans. In fact, they are often found fresh in markets.
The giant pangasius or the Chao Phraya giant catfish is endemic to Asia. They are from the southeastern basins that are Chao Phraya and Mekong basins in Lao, Thailand, Cambodia, PDR, and Vietnam.
The giant pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei) is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN. The main reason behind this poor population of Pangasius sanitwongsei is overfishing. Other than that, the construction of dams has restricted the fish from migrating and as a result, get trapped.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these nurse shark facts and king salmon facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable baby shark coloring pages.
Main image by Raita Futo and second image by .
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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