Threatened fishes of the world: Pangasius pangasius Hamilton-Buchanan, 1822 (Pangasiidae)

Abstract

Common names: Jambal, Pangas, Pariasi, Ponnga, Yellowtail catfish. Conservation status: Critically endangered (IUCN Bangladesh 2000). Importance: Previously commercially important for fisheries and aquaculture on the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar. It is a very desirable gamefish and highly valued food fish. Identification: D 1/7, P1 1/12, P2 6, A 3–4/26– 29, vertebrae 42–45. Body is elongateded and compressed. Mouth subterminal; two palatine and two vomarine tooth rows; gill rackers on first arch 23–28. The caudal fin is deeply forked and bright yellow in adults. The dorsal spines are strong, slightly serrated anteriorly and denticulated posteriorly. Pelvic fin origins below the dorsal (Roberts and Vidthayanon 1991). Distributions: Tropical (23–28°C; 35°–8°N). Large rivers and estuaries of the Indian subcontinent and Myanmar (Roberts and Vidthayanon 1991). Abundance: Previously abundant in Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, but populations have declined seriously (Prasad 1994; IUCN Bangladesh 2000). No recent population estimates are available. Habitat and ecology: Inhabits streams, lakes, estuaries, and mangrove swamps with hard bottoms or sea grasses; feeds on plants, shrimps, insects, mollusks and worms. Reproduction: July–October (Rahman 1992). Does not breed in ponds and therefore difficult to culture. Threats: Over-exploitation, destruction of habitats and breeding grounds from river damming, natural disasters and water pollution. Conservation action: Artificial propagation has been successful in Bangladesh (Khan and Mollah 2004). Conservation recommendations: A survey should be conducted to determine the current abundance, distribution and ecology of this species, and to identify reasons of Environ Biol Fish (2009) 84:315–316 DOI 10.1007/s10641-008-9422-y