This is the freshwater fish species of Thailand identification section. Here you will find information about Native freshwater fish species as well as fish species that have been introduced into Thailand's freshwater lakes and fishing parks. There are photos and descriptions of Thailand freshwater fish to help you in identification of different species. We are building our database and here you can find information on the more well known freshwater fish of Thailand such as the Catfish, Snakeheads and Carp. There is also information about some of the introduced species and rare species to be found here, how to catch them and where they live. Thailand is the land of the giants as far as freshwater fish go and home to some very exotic tropical fish species both small, large and humongous. Four of the largest freshwater fish on earth are all residents in Thailand's lakes and rivers whether natural or man made. 1. The biggest catfish in the catfish family which also happens to be the largest ( record breaking catfish recorded at 293kg)freshwater fish in the world the Giant Mekong Catfish which has a maximum size of 350kg is native to Thailand's waters. 2. The mother of the Carp family the Giant Siamese Carp which can grow to or 300kg also is native to Thailand. 3.Another top contender for the largest freshwater fish on the planet the Giant Freshwater Stingray which is reported to have a maximum published weight of 600kg. 4. Last but by no means least the largest freshwater predatory fish in the world (Heavily publicized as the largest but there is little recorded evidence of fish caught to match the size of the Mekong catfish) the mighty Arapaiama gigas which can grow to over 200kg has been successfully imported from South America into several fishing lakes across the country.
Written by Administrator. Photos courtesy of Jean-Francois Helias, Dr Steve Mims.Phd,Captain Kirk Kirkland.
The recent catch of the worlds biggest carp in Thailand has prompted a frenzy of press and internet forum activity around the worlds angling fraternity. The story even made it into the Uks daily tabloid rag the Sun's website where they compared the weight of the said carp to John Prescott M.P the infamous barnsley brawler.I have been reading a right load of carp in more than one forum, where images of the biggest carp ever to be caught on rod and line were posted, that the fish was obviously a fake.
The Alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula)is the largest member of the gar family, Lepisosteidae, and one of North America's largest inland fish. It is a primitive species, dating from the Mesozoic era: 65 to 230 million years ago.
The Arapaima is a tropical fish of the Amazon basin. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Arapaima reach sizes of up to 15 feet in length and are one of the rarest large freshwater predatory fish left on this planet, these fish can be fussy feeders but for an exciting fishing experience are well worth the effortfor any angler who wants to catch a large specimen of the world's ultimate freshwater predator.
Ecologists struggle to understand-and protect-Southeast Asia's large migratory catfish. By Zeb S. Hogan, Peter B. Moyle, Bernie May, M. Jake Vander Zanden and Ian G. Baird. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Mekong giant catfish as Earth's largest freshwater fish.
The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is a big fish. Indeed a very big fish, especially for a freshwater species. But is the Arapaima, or Pirarucu as it is called in South America really the largest freshwater fish in the world, and how big can it actually grow?
In the Golden Triangle of northern Thailand, project biologists have established a network of over two dozen fishermen to help track the migration of the giant fish of the Mekong river system.They hope to discover the fish's spawning grounds and other behaviour critical to the fish's survival.
Forget about France and the big carp that can be caught there. Thailand is the land of the Giants and can not be matched by any other country in the world. The largest Carp Species in the world the Siamese giant carp Catlocarpio siamensis (pla Caho) is a native here and reaches gigantic proportions. These monster fish will test any anglers skills.
The Giant Snakehead is well renown across the world as a sport fish. There have been lots of hype about the more sinister side of this species which probablly are not true. What we do know about the Giant snakehead is that it is the top predator in its natural habitat and it is a perfectly developed hunter who will defend its young against pretty much all comers. Read on if you want to know more about this beautiful fish.
The GiantMekong catfish is the most famous Thai fish species along with the Giant Siamese carp. This member of the Shark catfish family reaches enormous proportions. This native Thai fish species is currently recognized by the Guinness book of records as the Largest freshwater fish species on earth. This is the true king of fish and is recognized and well respected for its immense power and dirty fighting characteristics.
The Giant Freshwater Sting Ray (Himantura chaophraya) is an endangered species and is close to going on the critical list. Not a great deal is known about its habits and life cycle in its native habitats. Its main threats come from destruction of its natural habitats and blocking of its breeding routes. Another big threat is from deforestation.
Snakeheads . org is a very comprehensive website dedicated to the king of the swamps, the Snakehead has many varietys in its family that are spread around much of Asia.
The BIG HEAD CARP as it is known in Thailand is actually native to China hence the name Plah Jin, Jin being a colloquial term for China in the Thai language. It was introduced to Thailand as is now very well established all over the country. Its main feature and where its English name comes from is its very large head.
The Tiger Catfish or the Shovel Nose Catfish are found naturally in South American rivers such as the Amazon or the Orinoco. They have been successfully introduced into some fishing lakes in Thailand and are considered by most a very beautiful and prized catch. When hooked this fish will stick to the bottom for as long as possible and have you wondering if you caught up with a mini jet powered submarine.
The Cobra snakehead or Great snakehead is an elusive fish that inhabits waters from Thailand and Cambodia through Burma all the way to India and China. Its known as Cobra snakehead because of its resemblance to the Cobra. Its name in Thai Plah Chon gnu hauw translated literally means Cobra snakehead. This fish has become famous because it has been found inhabiting canals in Florida where it is considered vermin because it is not a native species.
Snakehead Fishing is as exciting as it gets! If you have ever felt your heart stop as you watch a fish destroy a top water lure you owe it to yourself to try and land a Snakehead.This Fish Strikes like a Cobra and fights like a Bull.
The Striped snakehead Channa striata (Plah Chon) is also known as the Common snakehead, Chevron snakehead, snakehead murrel and aruan outside of Thailand. It can grow to almost 1 meter in length and up to 6kg in weight, The Current IGFA Record is 3.5kg, caught in Malaysia.
Discovery of the invasive Mayan Cichlid fish “Cichlasoma” urophthalmus (Günther 1862) in Thailand, with comments on other introductions and potential impacts.
Peacock bass are not truly bass but actually cichlids. There are more than 15 different species refered to as such which are native to the Amazon river basin and also introduced now into many other countries around the World's tropical regions including Singapore, USA, Hawaii and Thailand. The species most of interest to anglers in Thailand is the Speckled Peacock bass (Cichla temensis) which is stocked in fishing parks as-well as now to some small reservoirs by local Thai anglers.
Fish species info 
The recent catch of the worlds biggest carp in Thailand has prompted a frenzy of press and internet forum activity around the worlds angling fraternity. The story even made it into the Uks daily tabloid rag the Sun's website where they compared the weight of the said carp to John Prescott M.P the infamous barnsley brawler.I have been reading a right load of carp in more than one forum, where images of the biggest carp ever to be caught on rod and line were posted, that the fish was obviously a fake. 
The Alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) is the largest member of the gar family, Lepisosteidae, and one of North America's largest inland fish. It is a primitive species, dating from the Mesozoic era: 65 to 230 million years ago. 
The Arapaima is a tropical fish of the Amazon basin. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Arapaima reach sizes of up to 15 feet in length and are one of the rarest large freshwater predatory fish left on this planet, these fish can be fussy feeders but for an exciting fishing experience are well worth the effort
Ecologists struggle to understand-and protect-Southeast Asia's large migratory catfish. By Zeb S. Hogan, Peter B. Moyle, Bernie May, M. Jake Vander Zanden and Ian G. Baird. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Mekong giant catfish as Earth's largest freshwater fish.
The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is a big fish. Indeed a very big fish, especially for a freshwater species. But is the Arapaima, or Pirarucu as it is called in South America really the largest freshwater fish in the world, and how big can it actually grow?
In the Golden Triangle of northern Thailand, project biologists have established a network of over two dozen fishermen to help track the migration of the giant fish of the Mekong river system.They hope to discover the fish's spawning grounds and other behaviour critical to the fish's survival. 
Forget about France and the big carp that can be caught there. Thailand is the land of the Giants and can not be matched by any other country in the world. The largest Carp Species in the world the Siamese giant carp Catlocarpio siamensis (pla Caho) is a native here and reaches gigantic proportions. These monster fish will test any anglers skills. 
The Giant Snakehead is well renown across the world as a sport fish. There have been lots of hype about the more sinister side of this species which probablly are not true. What we do know about the Giant snakehead is that it is the top predator in its natural habitat and it is a perfectly developed hunter who will defend its young against pretty much all comers. Read on if you want to know more about this beautiful fish. 
The Giant Mekong catfish is the most famous Thai fish species along with the Giant Siamese carp. This member of the Shark catfish family reaches enormous proportions. This native Thai fish species is currently recognized by the Guinness book of records as the Largest freshwater fish species on earth. This is the true king of fish and is recognized and well respected for its immense power and dirty fighting characteristics. 
The Giant Freshwater Sting Ray (Himantura chaophraya) is an endangered species and is close to going on the critical list. Not a great deal is known about its habits and life cycle in its native habitats. Its main threats come from destruction of its natural habitats and blocking of its breeding routes. Another big threat is from deforestation.
Snakeheads . org is a very comprehensive website dedicated to the king of the swamps, the Snakehead has many varietys in its family that are spread around much of Asia. 
The BIG HEAD CARP as it is known in Thailand is actually native to China hence the name Plah Jin, Jin being a colloquial term for China in the Thai language. It was introduced to Thailand as is now very well established all over the country.
The Tiger Catfish or the Shovel Nose Catfish are found naturally in South American rivers such as the Amazon or the Orinoco. They have been successfully introduced into some fishing lakes in Thailand and are considered by most a very beautiful and prized catch. When hooked this fish will stick to the bottom for as long as possible and have you wondering if you caught up with a mini jet powered submarine. 
The Cobra snakehead or Great snakehead is an elusive fish that inhabits waters from Thailand and Cambodia through Burma all the way to India and China. Its known as Cobra snakehead because of its resemblance to the Cobra. Its name in Thai Plah Chon gnu hauw translated literally means Cobra snakehead. This fish has become famous because it has been found inhabiting canals in Florida where it is considered vermin because it is not a native species. 
Snakehead Fishing is as exciting as it gets! If you have ever felt your heart stop as you watch a fish destroy a top water lure you owe it to yourself to try and land a Snakehead.This Fish Strikes like a Cobra and fights like a Bull. 
The Striped snakehead Channa striata (Plah Chon) is also known as the Common snakehead, Chevron snakehead, snakehead murrel and aruan outside of Thailand. It can grow to almost 1 meter in length and up to 6kg in weight, The Current IGFA Record is 3.5kg, caught in Malaysia. 
Discovery of the invasive Mayan Cichlid fish “Cichlasoma” urophthalmus (Günther 1862) in Thailand, with comments on other introductions and potential impacts.
Peacock bass are not truly bass but actually cichlids. There are more than 15 different species refered to as such which are native to the Amazon river basin and also introduced now into many other countries around the World's tropical regions including Singapore, USA, Hawaii and Thailand. The species most of interest to anglers in Thailand is the Speckled Peacock bass (Cichla temensis) which is stocked in fishing parks as-well as now to some small reservoirs by local Thai anglers.