Mekong Catfish
name: Mekong Catfish
other names: Giant Mekong Catfish, Pla Buk, Pla Beuk
One of the strongest fish in the world. Often described as an underwater steam train. Dark-bronze back, silvery light and deep curved belly. Mekong Catfish have a flat head with very low-set eyes and no teeth. Unlike other catfish, the Mekong Catfish has no whiskers.
These fish prefer slow moving deep rivers or now introduced into lakes. They can be found on clean sandy or gravel bottoms.
Mekong Catfish mainly eat fish, crustaceans, and vegetation. They feed mainly at night where they have a tendency to move into shallower water and can be found and seen around river banks and lake margins.
Juvenile Catfish have small whiskers and teeth which surprisingly disappear when they mature into adults. Unfortunately these fish in their natural habitat are in decline and have been added to the worlds endangered species list. Work is now being carried out to breed these fish in ponds and introduce back into the river system. Last year the fisheries board restocked over 10,000 juvenile fish back into the wild. Conservation is key to Angling Direct Holidays so we make sure the we only use fisheries that do not take its fish.
Bread and bait substance often in combination with a bait ball. Couple with very strong tackle. These fish grow very large and fight very hard and long. Unfortunately these fish on trips have smashed more rods than we care to remember. A strong 30 to 40lb class rod and either a fixed or multiplier reel capable of holding 300 yards of 25 to 30lb line or braid.
