Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

Scientific name: Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Sauvage, 1878

The Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a freshwater fish of the family Pangasiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Native range: Asia, Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Maeklong basins. Introduced into additional river basins for aquaculture.

Striped catfish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Fins dark grey or black; 6 branched dorsal-fin rays; gill rakers normally developed; young with a black stripe along lateral line and a second long black stripe below lateral line, large adults uniformly grey. Dark stripe on the middle of anal fin; dark stripe in each caudal lobe; small gill rakers regularly interspersed with larger ones.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
Family: Pangasiidae (Shark catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 130
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 2 - 29 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Maeklong basins. Introduced into additional river basins for aquaculture.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=4-5; assuming tmax >10)