Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Pangasiidae
- Genus
- Pangasianodon
- Species
- gigas
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits the Mekong River and its major tributaries in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. It prefers deep, slow-moving waters such as large pools and channels with sandy or rocky substrates. These areas provide the necessary cover and food resources for the fish.
Diet
Zooplankton, Algae
Behavior
Mekong giant catfish are generally solitary or found in small groups, exhibiting migratory behavior to travel long distances for feeding and spawning. They are primarily nocturnal, actively foraging at night and resting in deeper waters during the day. This species shows territorial tendencies in certain habitats, particularly during breeding seasons.
Conservation Status
Listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN.