Asian River Catfish – Freshwater Fish Species in Thailand
Species: Hemibagrus nemurus.
Common name: River Catfish, Asian River Catfish, Green Catfish. Thai Name: Pla Kot Luang.
Distribution: Native found in the Mekong, Chao Phraya, Maeklong, Peninsular and Southeast Thailand river systems. Recorded from Chienmai (Chiang Mai), Pitsanulok, Nontaburi , Bangkok, Tachin (Samut Sakhon), Mep Poon and Tale Sap. They can also be found in Phrae, Uthai Thani, Songkhla, Khon Kaen, Kanchanaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Chai Nat, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chanthaburi, Prachin Buri and Narathiwat: Mekong mainstream; about 4-5 km downstream from Pak Ing to Jom Paeng, also in Sumatra, Java, Borneo.
Habitat: Found in most habitat types, but most frequently in large muddy rivers, with a slow current and soft bottom.
Asian River catfish (Hemibagrus nemerus)
Is a freshwater fish species in the bagrid catfish family (family Bagridae) of the order Siluriformes (catfish). Members of this genus have depressed heads, rugose head shields, without skin. A slender occipital process (tapered head) and moderately long adipose fins. This means they are easily distinguished from other Bagrids. Which have a flat head, relatively short adipose fin, and filamentous extensions to the dorsal- and caudal-fin rays. The body color is brown often with a greenish sheen back with dark brown spots, white sides and a silvery belly. A deeply forked tail with a red tint, flat wide head with long whiskers.
Size: Max weight is around 2.00 kg (4,4lbs) with a length of 65 cm.
Fishing method: Asian river catfish can be caught, with bottom fishing techniques with live bait and also lure fishing with diving lures.
Sexing: Males have an elongated genital papilla in front of the anal fin.