Giant Mekong Catfish
| Giant Mekong Catfish Conservation status: Critical | ||||||||||||||
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| Pangasianodon gigas Chevey, 1931 |
The Giant Mekong Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) is one of the largest (by weight) freshwater fish in the world. It is endemic to the Lao stretch of the Mekong river, where it is in danger of extinction due to overfishing as well as the decrease of water quality due to developement and upstream damming.
The fish reaches a length of 3 meters and a weight of 150-200 kg within 5 years, with the highest weight on record being 350 kg. It has successfully been transferred into reservoirs and lakes in Thailand for sportfishing.
In Laos, it is called "Pa Beuk," and is the most highly-esteemed fish in Lao cuisine. In former times, specific rites were associated with the catch of these fish, which was conducted once yearly. Rarely is the fish available in markets. Food writer Alan Davidson describes its flesh with words like "superlative," "admirable texture and unmatched flavour," and "subtle and majestic." The liver is a delicacy and the pickled roe of the females provide "Laotian caviar."