Which freshwater fish is famous for reaching more than 3 metres in length in the Mekong River basin?

The Mekong giant catfish is the freshwater fish famous for reaching more than 3 metres in length in the Mekong River basin.

Pangasianodon gigas is a large, toothless catfish native to the Mekong system in mainland Southeast Asia. Historical reports and documented catches have included fish weighing hundreds of kilograms and measuring over three metres. Its size has made it one of the best-known river fish in the world.

Unlike many catfish, the Mekong giant catfish lacks the long barbels commonly associated with the group. It is primarily herbivorous as an adult, feeding on algae and aquatic plants rather than hunting large animals. Young fish are more likely to consume small organisms.

Dams, overfishing and changes to river habitat have severely affected the species. It is listed as Critically Endangered, and conservation efforts focus on protecting migration routes and breeding habitat across the Mekong basin.