Chao Phraya Catfish
name: Chao Phraya Catfish
other names: Pla Tepa
In terms of size and weight, Pangasius Sanitwongsei is second only to the giant Mekong catfish, Pangasianodon Gigas. However, at Loei in the upper part of the Mekong, one fisherman reported a Pangasius sanitwongsei weighing 300 kg, indicating that the species may, in fact, rival the size of the "real" Mekong giant. Fins are pigmented with dusky melanophores. First soft ray in dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins prolonged into a filament. Broad head and black tips on first few anal-fin rays in individuals of all sizes, particularly in juveniles; palatine and vomerine teeth united into a single long crescentic patch.
These fish can be found in large rivers or lakes. They are widely spread thought out Asia.
These catfish are carnivore’s that feeds on small fish, shrimps and carcasses of large animals. They will hunt as well as scavenge. Larger individuals have been known to feed on carcasses of fowl or dog (which are commonly used for bait)
Spawns just before the rainy season and the young of the year reach a length of about 10 cm by mid-June, these are quick growing fish that soon reach maturity and very large weights.
Speak to anyone who has ever hooked or landed one of these fish and you will soon discover the power these fish can unleash onto you and your tackle. Therefore tackle has to be stepped up very strong roads that you would normally associate with stand up boat rods in the 20 30lb class matched with a strong multiplier capable of holding 300 yards of 30lb line. Bait is normally chunks of meat or some special paste made of maize, spices and fish bits, fished the size of a tennis ball. All round these are great fighting fish a fight you will always remember.
