Striped Catfish Fishing Thailand
Freshwater Fish of Thailand

Common name:	Striped Catfish \ Iridescent Shark
Local Thai Name:	Pla Sawai
Max published weight:	130cm TL – 44.0 Kg
Environment:	Benthopelagic, potamodromous, freshwater
Status:	Native

Striped Catfish - Pangasius hypophthalmus

 

Freshwater Fish Species Of Thailand

The striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is a freshwater fish species in the shark catfish family (family Pangasiidae) of order Siluriformes (catfish). The striped catfish is native to the Mekong River basin & Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand.

Natural Food Source

In the wild away from captivity the striped catfish would typical feed on plants, benthic algae & weeds, crustaceans, insects and occasionally fry.

Striped Catfish Identification

Grey to silver in colour with a glowing iridescent stripe along the lateral line, the striped catfish is distinguished by the near-total lack of barbels and the absence of teeth. The eyes are set slightly higher in the head than the giant Mekong catfish.

Striped Catfish Fishing Thailand

Fish Thailand venue:	Shadow Lake & Bungsamran Lake
Fishing season:	All year
Lake record	Bungsamran Lake 19.0 Kg \ Shadow Lake 25.0 Kg

The Fish Thailand venues to target the giant striped catfish are Bungsamran Lake & Shadow Lake in Bangkok, where they can be caught all year round. The striped catfish at Bungsamran average 7 – 8 kg, at Shadow Lake the average is 12 Kg. The best striped catfish that Fish Thailand has taken is from Shadow Lake and weighed in at a record breaking 22.0 Kg!

The same fishing techniques are employed for the striped catfish as for the giant Mekong catfish. The fight on light tackle is vigorous with the striped catfish renowned for speed and changes in direction.