The Mekong catfish is the largest freshwater fish, reaching up to 3 meters long and weighing up to 200 kg. It lives in the Mekong River region and eats vegetation. It is an endangered species due to overfishing and water pollution deteriorating its habitat. Conservation groups list it as endangered and some captive breeding programs have started, but more protection is still needed as laws are not strictly enforced.

2. 1. Mekong River
2. Physical features of Mekong cat fish.
3. Extra Information
4. Mekong Catfish Conservation

4. It is the largest fish found in fresh water bodies.
Length of its body is about 3 meters.
Weight of its body is around 150-200 kg.
This fish is not violent it is very powerful.
It has teeth but they fall after 2 years.
This fish has a streamlined shape body so it can
swim in the fast flowing water.
They live in the freshwater bodies found in the
regions around Mekong plateau.
The giant catfish eats the vegetation growing on the
river bed
The giant catfish is endemic to the parts of the
Mekong River.

5. Due to over fishing and deterioration of the quality of
the water in which they live has made it an endangered
species to be extinct.
 International Union for conservation of Nature-IUCN
annually publishes a book includes the latest information
about the endangered species. It is the red data book
The name of the Mekong fish is also included in this book
The data available does not confirm the number of these
fish today.
However there is evidence to show that there is a sharp
drop of the number of this fish over the past few years.

6.  The giant catfish has been listed on
Appendix I of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered
Species since 1975 when it first became
apparent that it had seriously declined.
 In Cambodia and Thailand it is illegal
to catch the giant catfish but this law is
not enforced. In Laos it is protected, but
this has no practical effect.
 Captive breeding of has been taking
place since 2001.
 This project has released 20 catfish into
the river system since 2000.

7. Done By :-
shakir