The Latin Hypophthalmichthys comes from a Greek word meaning underneath eye. You can see in the plate above that the eye is very low down compared to other carp species
Common Names: Chinese carp, Tongsan, Buffalo carp
Thai Name: ปลาจีน
Max Weight: 40kg (88lb)
Max Length: 150cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Labeo chrysophekadion, known as the black sharkminnow, thrives in Thailand’s rivers, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya. Renowned among anglers for its elusive nature and strong fight, it is a prized catch in freshwater fishing.
Common Names: Black Shark Minnow, Black Shark, Black Labeo
Max Weight: 8kg (18lb)
Max Length: 90cm
Thailand Status: Native
Catla (Labeo catla), is the smaller cousin of the giant siamese carp. It is valued in Thailand’s angling circles. Though not native to Thailand it is stocked in many Thai lakes and fishing resorts for its size and robust fight, attracting anglers.
Common Names: Catla Catla, Indian Carp
Thai Name: Caho India
Max Weight: 25kg (55lb)
Max Length: 90cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Cyprinus carpio, the common carp, is found in Thailand’s lakes and ponds. While not prized for its size due to its modest growth in local waters. The species is popular in small-scale aquaculture and has escaped into many of Thailand’s rivers, streams and ponds.
Common Names: Common carp, Carp
Thai Name: ไน
Max Weight: 2kg (4.4lb)
Max Length: 30cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Catlocarpio siamensis, the giant Siamese carp, is Thailand’s largest freshwater fish and a highly prized catch among anglers. Native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, it is renowned for its impressive size and strength.
Common Names: Giant Siamese carp, Giant Barb, Mother of all carp
Thai Name: กระโห้
Max Weight: 300kg (661lb)
Max Length: 120cm
Thailand Status: Native
A rare catch for anglers fishing in Thailand. Stocked in some lakes. Can be hard to locate and catch in the wild. In Thai it is allegedly known as ‘Plah Ba’ which roughly means ‘crazy fish’ and thought to come from the fish consuming
Common Names: Hoven's carp, Mad barb or sultan fish
Thai Name: Plah Ba, Plah haang daeng
Max Weight: 10kg (22lb)
Max Length: 100cm
Thailand Status: Native
Probarbus jullieni, known as Julliens Golden Carp, is a large freshwater fish native to Thailand’s Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers. Valued by anglers for its beauty, size and challenge on rod and line. It is stocked in many of Thailand’s fishing lakes. Due to overfishing and habitat destruction, conservation efforts are vital for its preservation in the wild.
Common Names: Jullien's Golden Price Carp, Jullien's golden carp, Isok Barb. Esok. Giant River Carp, Seven-striped barb
Thai Name: ยี่สก
Max Weight: 50kg (110lb)
Max Length: 200cm
Thailand Status: Native
Hampala macrolepidota, or Hampala barb, is a freshwater fish found in Thailand’s rivers and reservoirs. Popular among anglers, it’s prized for its aggressive strikes on topwater lures and powerful fight. The ‘Jungle perch’ thrives in clear, flowing waters and preys on smaller fish, making it a favorite target for sport fishing enthusiasts in Thailand.
Common Names: Jungle Perch, Hampala barb
Thai Name: กะสูบขีด
Max Weight: 8kg (18lb)
Max Length: 70cm
Thailand Status: Native
Cirrhinus cirrhosus, known as the mrigal carp, is a South Asian river carp widely farmed across the Indian subcontinent and stocked in Thai fishing parks alongside other South Asian carp such as rohu and catla. It’s an easy-going bottom feeder, popular with anglers for its steady fight on light carp tackle.
Common Names: Mrigal
Thai Name: Plah Nuan Jan
Max Weight: 5kg (11lb)
Max Length: 65cm
Thailand Status: Native
Labeo rohita, also known as the Rohu, is a prominent freshwater fish in Thailand’s fishing lakes. It is quite a common catch and although not native to Thailand can be found almost everywhere. It’s popular among anglers for its spirited fight and fast running takes.
Common Names: Rohu, Indian Carp
Thai Name: บู่ทราย
Max Weight: 20kg (44lb)
Max Length: 90cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Neolissochilus stracheyi, or Strachey’s mahseer, inhabits Thailand’s mountain streams and rivers. This robust, fast-swimming fish is highly sought after by anglers for its strength and elusive nature. Found in clear, oxygen-rich waters, it’s prized sport fishing and its significance in Thailand’s wilder less explored fishing destinations.
Common Names: Stracheyi Mahseer, Blue Mahseer
Thai Name: พลวง
Max Weight: 6kg (13lb)
Max Length: 100cm
Thailand Status: Native
Barbonymus schwanenfeldii, or tinfoil barb, is a common freshwater fish in Thailand’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Known for its silvery scales and red-tipped fins, it’s a favorite among anglers. This omnivorous species is strong and fast, providing an exciting challenge for sport fishing enthusiasts in Thailand’s diverse aquatic habitats.
Common Names: Tinfoil barb, Goldfoil barb
Thai Name: Plah haang daeng
Max Weight: 1kg (2.2lb)
Max Length: 35cm
Thailand Status: Native
Forget about France and the big carp that can be caught there. Thailand is the land of the giants for carp fishing. Carp are known for their hard-fighting nature so imagine the possibility of battling a fish the size of a heavyweight boxer. This is fishing in Thailand!
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) — oddly does not grow anywhere near the size of its European cousins in Thailand.Learn more...
Jullien's Golden Price Carp (Probarbus jullieni) — can grow to over 30kg and has been recorded at 70kg.Learn more...
Thailand is home to some of the world's largest carp species. In fact the Giant Siamese carp (Catlocarpio siamensis) is the largest of all carp species in the world and has been reported at 300kg (661lb) a catch that if it had been scientifically recorded could weigh the species in as the confirmed second largest freshwater fish in the world. Jullien's Golden price carp or Isok barb (Probarbus jullieni) can grow to well over 30kg (66lb) and have been recorded at 70kg (154lb). The Big head carp (Aristichthys nobilis) or Chinese carp can grow to over 50Kg (110lb), both of these species are easily big enough to test even the most experienced of anglers. There is another big one called the Rohu (Labeo rohita) or Indian Carp which is also very sought after by many Thai and foreign anglers and is a very desirable food fish in many Asian countries. This Big Carp species has a Max size of around 45Kg (99lb). There are many other smaller species of carp in Thailand such as the Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) which oddly does not grow to anywhere near the proportions of its European or Canadian cousins (10lb fish would be considered huge).
Giant Siamese Carp (Catlocarpio siamensis) — the largest carp species in the world, reported at 300kg.Learn more...
Carp fishing tackle and tactics in Thailand are centred around the method feeder with various styles being employed from home-made wire coil devices to custom made plastic moulded European carp fishing style feeders. Baits used on the feeders are usually bread mix or rice flour known as (lum) in Thai. All sorts of natural and synthetic additives, scents, flavourings and "secret" ingredients are then added to the mix by the angler or fishing guide to his own specification. Pre-baiting to varying degrees is almost essential to ensure good catches outside of fishing parks and resorts.
Catla (Labeo catla) — carp fishing at Cha Am resort, Thailand.Learn more...
For hook-baits most common now for carp fishing in Thailand are small polystyrene or cork balls which are popped up on hair rigs. These are unwittingly sucked in by the carp feeding on the ground-bait thus hooking themselves in the process. Bread is also commonly used. Articles such as worms, grubs or even nuts presented over ground-bait as an attractor can be very effective, although smaller fish intercepting can be a nuisance. Boilies are known to work in some western run fisheries but rarely if ever in Thai fishing parks.
Floating and surface baits can be really fun. Dog biscuits super-glued to a fly hook or fake bread flies can get takes on the drop in lakes and fishing parks where the fish are confident in surface feeding.
Choose from amazing guided fishing trips based out of and around Bangkok, Chiang mai and the wild jungle reservoirs of Northern, Western and Southern Thailand.
Thailand's chaotic capital Bangkok isn't the first place most people would think of visiting for a fishing trip. But we provide daily guided fishing trips for Giant Siamese Carp & Mekong Catfish, many species of Predator fish, lure fishing for Barramundi and the mighty Giant Snakehead.
Thailand's northern province of Chiang mai provides the fisherman with plenty of opportunities for freshwater fishing. Target ALL species at Dreamlake fishing resort, Giant mekong Catfish at the Borsang lake or go into the country to one of the Giant snakehead fishing reservoirs.
Jungle fishing adventures in Thailand are very exciting and most of the time anglers are surrounded by natural beauty and unforgettable scenery in some of Thailand's wildest national parks and jungle destinations. Choose your Jungle fishing adventure in Thailand.
We look forward to seeing you fishing in Thailand with us soon whether you are a match angler, species hunter or big fish specialist Join us at one of the many unique and amazing fishing parks, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and dams that are here in Thailand. There really is an unforgetable fishing in Thailand experience for all anglers at all levels from all backgrounds.