Endangered Species Guide : Fish : Animal Planet

Endangered Fish

Pictures: AP Photo |

MEKONG GIANT CATFISH (Pangasianodon gigas)

The Mekong giant catfish is a freshwater fish that grows to be very large — about as large as a grizzly bear in some cases. This enormous fish was historically found throughout the Mekong River, which is the 12th longest river in the world. The waterway spans about 2,983 miles (4,800 kilometers) from its headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau throughout much of Southeast Asia. Currently, Mekong giant catfish populations are in rapid decline, primarily due to dams, overfishing and pollution.

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IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Major Threats: Dams, overfishing and pollution
Habitat: ddd
Location: Lower half of the Mekong River
Diet: Aquatic plants and algae

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Pictures: AP Photo |

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