Siamese Carp
name: Siamese Carp
other names: Giant Barb, Pla Caho
Siamese Giant carp are the largest of the carp family. They generally have large green scales with dark green to blue edges with light to cream colored cheeks. Their fins and tail are dark to black. The dorsal fin is short but stands high. The head is short and their mouth is extending and very large. Eyes are almost pronounced and beady looking.
Giant Siamese carp are found in large rivers and seasonally in canals and floodplains. Adults prefer big pools in the Mekong at least part of the year while juveniles are mostly seen in swamps and small tributaries, from where they are sometimes collected and stocked in ponds. These fish prefer in general weedy areas of deep slow flowing and quiet water. A shy fish of which not many anglers have ever seen alone caught.
Feeds on algae, phytoplankton and fruits of inundated terrestrial plants. These fish when located are usually found near to large weed beds with soft muddy bottoms where if you are lucky they can be observed eating large quantities.
These fish spawn each year but in their natural environment over the last few years the spawning do not seem so successful, mainly due to the collected of their eggs for commercial food purposes. Young fish move into the relative safety of the flood plains and swamps, moving back into the main rivers once large enough to avoid predators.
These fish are normally caught bottom fishing with dough, bread, potatoes, cheese or earthworm. Rods, reels and line need to be strong stepped up carp or catfish gear as they provide endless powerful runs in search of underwater snags. It is a dream for most angler to just hook one of these monsters another issue is managing to land your prize. As these fish are becoming rarer to find we would only advise targeting this species with good qualified guides who will not only help you locate them but advise on the standard of tackle required to land one.
