Introduced
Thailand has become a premier global destination for “Amazon-style” fishing. Over the years, legendary giants from South America and beyond have been successfully introduced into managed Thai fisheries.
Popular:
Alligator Gar
(Atractosteus spatula)
Atractosteus spatula, the alligator gar, is not native to Thailand but has been introduced to some regions for sport fishing. Known for its impressive size and predatory nature, it attracts anglers seeking a challenge.
Common Names: Alligator gar, Gator gar
Thai Name: จระเข้
Max Weight: 140kg (309lb)
Max Length: 300cm
Thailand Status: Introduced
Arapaima
(Arapaima gigas)
Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is a giant freshwater fish native to the Amazon, introduced to Thailand for recreational fishing. It attracts anglers due to its immense size and strength, offering a thrilling challenge.
Common Names: Arapaima, Pirarucu, Wararapaima, Giant bony tounge
Thai Name: ปลาช่อนอะเมซอน
Max Weight: 200kg (441lb)
Max Length: 300cm
Thailand Status: Introduced
Nile Tilapia
(Oreochromis niloticus)
Oreochromis niloticus, or Nile tilapia, is widely farmed in Thailand’s aquaculture industry due to its fast growth and adaptability. It is a popular species in recreational fishing for its abundance and accessibility. It is a very tasty eating fish and is loved by angler and predator fish. If you are fly fishing in Thailand bring ‘Tilapia’ or similar dark patterns.
Common Names: Nile Tilapia, Tilapia, Mango fish
Thai Name: ปลานิล
Max Weight: 4kg (8.8lb)
Max Length: 28cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Peacock Bass
(Cichla temensis)
Cichla temensis, known as the peacock bass, is not native to Thailand but has been introduced to some fishing resorts for sport fishing. Valued for its aggressive behavior and impressive size, it attracts anglers looking for a thrilling challenge.
Common Names: Speckled Peacock bass, Speckled Pike Cichlid, Pavon, Tucunare, Three-barred peacock bass, Acu Paca, Giant peacock bass
Thai Name: Pla Bass
Max Weight: 15kg (33lb)
Max Length: 40cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (invasive)
Red Bellied Pacu
(Piaractus brachypomus)
Piaractus brachypomus, also known as the red-bellied pacu, has been introduced to Thailand for recreational fishing and aquaculture. Prized for its size and strength, it offers a challenging experience for anglers.
Common Names: Red Bellied Pacu, Pacu
Thai Name: จาระเม็ด
Max Weight: 25kg (55lb)
Max Length: 60cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Redtail Catfish
(Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus, or the redtail catfish, has been introduced to Thailand for sport fishing. It is a very common catch Known for its striking appearance and powerful fight. They are so common that they can become a nuisance to anglers targeting less active species.
Thai Name: ปลากดหางแดง, ปลากดแดงอะเมซอน
Max Weight: 80kg (176lb)
Max Length: 150cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Ripsaw Catfish
(Oxydoras niger)
Oxydoras niger, also known as the ripasw catfish, is native to South America but has been introduced to Thailand at fishing lakes and resortd. The name “niger” comes from the Latin word for “black,” referring to the fish’s dark, almost black coloration. It is popular for its size and strength. The ripsaw catfish naming is due to the sharp, serrated edges along its dorsal and pectoral fins, which resemble a saw blade. These fins can cause injury if the fish is handled improperly. The name “ripsaw” is a reference to this unique feature.
Common Names: Ripsaw catfish, Niger catfish, cuiu cuiu
Thai Name: Pla Ripsaw
Max Weight: 13kg (29lb)
Max Length: 120cm
Thailand Status: Introduced
Sharptooth Catfish
(Clarias hybrid (C. gariepinus × C. macrocephalus))
They are found in inland waters throughout much of the Old World, and are one of the most widespread catfish genera in the world.
Common Names: Sharptooth Catfish, Hybrid Clarias
Thai Name: ดุกด้าน
Max Weight: 30kg (66lb)
Max Length: 190cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Silver Arowana
(Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, or the silver arowana, is a popular species in Thailand’s aquaculture and aquarium trade. While not native, it has gained attention in recreational fishing due to its striking appearance and agility. Anglers prize it for its challenge.
Common Names: Silver arowana, Silver Arawana, Two barbel bony tongue, monkey fish, water monkey, dragon fish
Thai Name: ตะพัด
Max Weight: 5kg (11lb)
Max Length: 80cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Suckermouth Catfish
(Hypostomus plecostomus)
Hypostomus plecostomus, commonly known as the common pleco, is a freshwater fish native to South America. Introduced in many countries, including Thailand. Used in aquaculture for for its algae-eating habits which helps to clean ponds and lakes.
Common Names: Suckermouth Catfish, Sucker fish, Janitor fish, Common Pleco
Max Weight: 2kg (4.4lb)
Max Length: 30cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Tambaqui
(Colossoma macropomum)
Colossoma macropomum, known as the tambaqui, is a large freshwater fish native to the Amazon River. Introduced to Thailand for recreational fishing, it is prized for its size and strong fight. Anglers can target this species with a range of baits from dead fish to bread mix.
Common Names: Tambaqui, Black pacu, Giant pacu
Thai Name: ภาคูดำ
Max Weight: 35kg (77lb)
Max Length: 80cm
Thailand Status: Introduced (non-invasive)
Tiger Catfish
(Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum)
Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum, also known as the tiger catfish, is native to South America but has been introduced to Thailand’s freshwater systems for sport fishing. Prized for its size, strength, and striking appearance, it offers a thrilling challenge to anglers.
Common Names: Tiger catfish, Tiger Shovelnose catfish, Spotted Sorubim, Barred Sorubim, Leopard catfish, Sorubim hybrid
Thai Name: ปลากดเสือ
Max Weight: 40kg (88lb)
Max Length: 120cm
Thailand Status: Introduced
Thailand is a tropical country so the waters here are warm which has meant some really interesting and exotic fish such as the giant Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), Silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) and Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) have been introduced into man-made fishing lakes right around the country from North to South. For anglers going fishing in Thailand the array of imported game fish species makes for a really exciting prospect.
The Red tail catfish is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins in South America. They are possibly the most common introduced fish species when fishing in Thailand.Learn more...
The "Ball Cutter" fish aka red-bellied Pacu are very common in Thai fishing parks. They are heavy feeders and will give a really hard fight up to the net. The legend of the "ball cutter" name goes, that in Brazil there was an incident where a Pacu mistook a man's testicles for some floating Brazil nuts. Ouch, The teeth are sharp and jaws are strong, built for cracking nuts.Learn more...
Some introduced (invasive) species have inevitably found their way into the natural Thai environment. There are now known to be Peacock bass , a species considered extremely invasive in some reservoirs and large lakes around the country. There are also known to be Pirarucu or Arapaima. This fish is among the biggest freshwater fish in the world, it is legendary for its fighting and grows to massive proportions in Thai fishing lakes where they are well fed and have good habitat. A specimen of approximately 185Kg (407lb) has been caught from Bungsamran lake in Bangkok.
GUIDED FISHING IN THAILAND
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.
GIANT CARP / CATFISH, ARAPAIMA, ALL SPECIES: Day Trips, Multiday trips, Fishing holidays. Day Trips, Multiday trips.
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.
Private Fishing Resort, Day Trips, Jungle Fishing 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.
Day Trips, Multi-Day Trips with overnight stay in floating raft houses.
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.