There are freshwater fish species of up to 300 or even 500kg in weight. The fish was once regarded as the king of fish species in the mekong river is the giant barb or siamese giant carp catlocarpio siamensis. The giant pangasius, like many fish species in the mekong river, migrates between habitats, requires specific water quality and flow, and has a complex life history dependent on migration and seasonal floods. Environmental groups warn that by turning a freeflowing river into a series of reservoirs the upstream lao dams could wipe out the mekongs two largest freshwater species. Fishes of the cambodian mekong food and agriculture. Pdf this fish photo book is a key tool for fish abundance and diversity monitoring of mekong.
From the massive mountain ranges in the himalayan plateau, the mekong river is a transboundary river that flows through the territory of six nations of china, myanmar, laos, thailand, cambodia, vietnam and finally to the south china sea. The mekong river is home to the largest inland fishery. An insiders look into a floating fish farm in the mekong delta. At the moment, the biggest threat to fish biodiversity in the mekong basin is. Pdf photos of common fishes species in the lower mekong. Fish species in mekong rises in the eastern tibethan plateau, passes through china, myanmar, laos pdr, thailand and kampuchea before it drains into the south china sea ref. The main thing to accomplish with the expanded book that fad would like to publish is to include the remaining mekong species, and perhaps a section on the fisheries in each country. Dec 20, 2018 the mekong river commission has recorded nearly 500 species of fish in the mekong river basin, with the majority of them native to cambodian territories. Chau doc is a place that home to mega fish raised in floating fish farms. The mekong, or mekong river, is a transboundary river in southeast asia. Fishes of the greater mekong ecosystem with species list and. The giant mekong catfish is one of the biggest fish in the world.
A river and its people, the mekong river wat phou documentary, discovery, history duration. Dec 27, 2012 the giant pangasius, like many fish species in the mekong river, migrates between habitats, requires specific water quality and flow, and has a complex life history dependent on migration and seasonal floods. This native thai fish species is currently recognized by the guinness book of records as the largest freshwater fish species on earth. Men cast traditional fishing nets into the river pregnant with freshwater fish at daybreak, and, at days end, kids paddle around, holding large banana trunks as a floating device. An insiders look into a floating fish farm in the mekong. Giant freshwater stingray himantura chaophraya is also a special species of the mekong river. Freshwater fish species in mekong river southeast asia. Stop over documentary, discovery, history 114,944 views 53.
Aug 20, 2016 the mekong river has the second highest aquatic biodiversity in the world. Required deliverables, timelines and responsibilities 3. The mekong river commission has recorded nearly 500 species of fish in the mekong river basin, with the majority of them native to cambodian territories. The outputs and resulting products, developed as an integrated package, will lead to better protection of a. Three ways to experience the mekong river bestprice travel. Book a cycling trip to a local village and get a taste of life along the river. It is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world, with reports from the chao phraya and mekong rivers of individuals weighing 500600kg. A member of the shark catfish family which reaches enormous proportions. It was ranked third in 2000 dudgeon 2000 but its species. The mekong giant catfish or giant carp pangasius family is perhaps the most interesting and most threatened species in the mekong river. Apr 22, 2020 a fisherman floats on the mekong river in pak chom district in the northeastern thai province of loei on oct. Attaining an unconfirmed length of 3 m, the mekong giant catfish. Mekong delta vital source of life for 90 million people.
This field guide covers the major resource groups likely to be encountered in the fisheries of the cambodian mekong. This report highlights the dangers associated with hydropower development on the mainstream of the lower mekong river basin. Freshwater fish species in mekong river southeast asia the tables below were generated from a project to provide indexing and links for all known species as the baseline dataset for studies of global biodiversity. It is a species of stingray in the family dasyatidae, native to large rivers and estuaries of southeast asia. Chapter of the book biodiversity observation network in the asiapacific region. The mekong river in thailand is home to several of the largest freshwater fish species in the world such as the mythical mekong catfish, chaophraya catfish dog eating catfish and giant freshwater stingray and various other river monsters. The villagers cultivate freshwater fish and shrimps in nets and wire baskets under their houses a major export product of the region. The least diverse fisheries are in rice fields, where a few species make up most of the weight, whereas diversity is highest closer to the estuary where marine and estuarine species marine vagrants are caught with freshwater fishes. This book became available by the supports from local fishermen, local officers. The upper mekong from the watershed southward to north. Environmental groups warn that by turning a freeflowing river into a series of reservoirs the upstream lao dams could wipe out the mekongs two.
A fisherman floats on the mekong river in pak chom district in the northeastern thai province of loei on oct. Where there is water there is fish by mekong river. So it is not surprising that you can buy fish and fish product literally on every corner in cambodia. The illustrations are vouchers for the species listed and can help identification of any species encountered in the. When i started putting together a huge data matrix of our collections, i realized that the main stem of the mekong river has a complete change in species between periods of low flow and high flow. The mekong river is one of the great rivers of the world, recognized as having a freshwater fish diversity second or third to only the amazon and congo basins, rivers of much larger drainage area. This field guide includes approximately 500 species of present or potential interest to, or likely to be encountered in, fisheries in the cambodian mekong.
This covers all species historically recorded from cambodian reaches of the mekong as well as numerous new records by the author. Fishes of the greater mekong ecosystem with species list. Jul 01, 2010 a river and its people, the mekong river wat phou documentary, discovery, history duration. The mekong river has the second highest aquatic biodiversity in the world. The giant barb ranks among the largest freshwater fish in the world, and is probably the largest fish in the family cyprinidae. China scientific books field guide to fishes of the mekong delta author. Riparian consultant for preparing fish larvae photo book. It accounts for up to 25 percent of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for at least 60 million people.
Mature fish migrate up the mekong river and spawn in april and may at unknown spawning grounds. The mekong river in thailand is a magical fishing destination which is steeped in mystery and the unknown. The mekong fish database developed by the mekong river commission provides the most comprehensive data source on mekong fishes, although it does not include any information on species from areas. The mekong giant catfish has one of the fastest growth rates of any fish in the world. In this regard, this book will be a welcome contribution to the work required to.
Fish diversity in the mekong river basin john valbojorgensen, david. For this reason conservationists have chosen it as a sort of flagship species to promote conservation on the mekong. The mekong giant catfish currently holds the guinness book of world records position for the worlds largest freshwater fish. The mekong is the worlds largest inland freshwater fishery, yielding times more fish each year than all of north americas rivers and lakes combined. Field guide to fishes of the mekong delta china scientific books.
From the tibetan plateau the river runs through china, myanmar, laos, thailand. It also includes species expected to occur in cambodia which have been recorded. On the basis of altitude, hydrology, and landforms, the basin is usually divided into the upper mekong in china and myanmar, comprising about 20% of the catchment, and. A fish of up to 500kg, 5m and 60yearold was netted in the river. Nhbs mekong river commission, jeremy bird, huayu nature book trade co. Has significant knowledge and fiveyear experiences in freshwater or inland fisheries or intensive training on fish taxonomy. Field guide to fishes of the mekong delta nhbs field guides. Laying on hau river which have direct access into mekong delta and where mekong river flows into. Importance of freshwater fishes iucn freshwater fish. Bachelors degree in river fish biology, with the focus on fish taxonomy, or relevant fields. More giants inhabit this mighty river than any other on earth. Pdf fish biodiversity research in the mekong basin kent hortle. The introduction outlines the geographical, environmental and ecological factors influencing fisheries, and the basic components of the fisheries of the cambodian mekong.
Fishes of the greater mekong ecosystem with species list and photographic atlas lists and illustrates all 2541 species of fishes known to occur within the greater mekong ecosystem and includes an overview of basin geology and biogeography. It also includes species expected to occur in cambodia which have been recorded from, or found by the author. Most of the mekong systems fish species are small, growing to maturity in their first or second year and many. This is the rice bowl of asia and at its heart lays the mekong river.
Nov 11, 2017 traditional catch fish in mekong river by using traditional tool, thai laos border in 2017. Between these two extremes, a new database developed by the mekong river commission has 923 species. With recorded sizes the mekongs giant catfish currently holds the guinness book of world records position for the. But walter rainboth, another taxonomist who is compiling an atlas of fish in the mekong, lists more than 2,000. The mekong river is home to the largest inland fishery in. Winding almost 3,000 miles from the tibetan plateau down to the south china sea, the mekong river boasts the worlds largest inland fishery. These groups include sharks, batoid fishes and bony fishes. Three megafish species imperiled by laos mekong river dam. More than fish species is harboured in its waters.
Hundreds of fish species identified in the mekong khmer. Apr 04, 2020 mekong delta vital source of life for 90 million people. Giant fish species of the mekong river in pictures news. Browse an online collection of scientific reports and publications related to mekong river fishes and aquatic science. Giant mekong catfish pangasianodon gigas megafishingthailand. Indeed, while pampered by all the luxurious material spoils one can ask for, it is the priceless warmth of the local people that makes a journey like this truly.
The mekong produces about 18% of the worlds freshwater fish yield. Current speed and channel morphology change as the mekong river flows downstream affect the species that favor specific parts of the river, and the upper and lower reaches of the mekong harbor different fish faunas. Endemic to the lower half of the mekong river, this catfish is in danger of extinction due to. Grey to white in colour and lacking stripes, the mekong giant catfish is distinguished from other large catfish species in the river by the neartotal lack of barbels and the absence of teeth. The mekong river basin mrb represents a global hotspot of aquatic biodiversity allen et al. Mien trei which means where is the water, there is the fish. Little is known about these magnificent species of the greater. The mekong is one of the worlds largest rivers with a basin that supports a population of about 70 million people, for most of whom the staple diet is rice, fish and other aquatic animals. Pdf fishes of the mekong how many species are there. Brian eyler says that the mekong basin contributes to 20 percent of the worlds freshwater fish catch, which is 30 times more than what all the rivers and lakes of north america combined produce per year. Food and agriculture organization of the united nations. It is estimated that freshwater fishes make up more than 6% of the worlds annual animal protein supplies for humans fao, 2007. The outputs and resulting products, developed as an integrated package, will lead to better protection of a vibrant and healthy.
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