A giant freshwater fish right here TopCats Fishing Resort:
The Mighty Chao Phraya Catfish
Deep in the heart of Southeast Asia flows the majestic Chao Phraya River, home to one of the region’s most formidable freshwater predators—the Chao Phraya catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei), also known as the Giant Pangasius, Shark Catfish or the Paroon Shark. Its impressive size, incredible appearance and their predatory instinct make this elusive species a trophy catch for many anglers — and at TopCats Fishing Resort, we’re proud to be one of the few destinations home to this specific breed.
Background: The Great River Systems of Southeast Asia
The Chao Phraya catfish takes its name from Thailand’s main river, the Chao Phraya, which flows from the northern mountains down to the Gulf of Thailand. This species can also be found in the Mekong, Mae Klong river systems. Naturally elusive and speedy, these freshwater beasts prefer larger, deeper rivers and are capable of powerful swimming.
Diet
Unlike many of its commonly known plate/sushi savvy catfish cousins at your gourmet market, Chao Phraya catfish is a real meat eater. It’s not called the dog eating catfish for nothing. In the wild, it preys on smaller fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals. We mimic a natural diet at TopCats so they are as healthy and grow as they should. This predator commands a size and appetite commensurate to its stature, offering an exhilarating pursuit for seasoned anglers looking for something more than the typical tug on line.
Lifespan: Built to Endure
Under the right conditions, the Chao Phraya catfish can live 20-30 years. However in the wild, their populations have decreased drastically putting them at risk because of habitat degradation and overfishing, which is why responsible angling and sustainable practices are vital to maintaining such rare species.
TopCats Fishing Resort and a Unique Catch:
We’re not overblowing this: The prospect of catching a Chao Phraya catfish is a bucket list experience. It feels like you have a hooked a steam train. TopCats Fishing Resort is fortunate to boast having one of the few Chao Phraya catfish in captivity in the region, giving guests the rare chance to see — and hopefully catch — this amazing predator. It is a true test of skill, strength, and patience, and an experience any angler will never forget.
In the wild the species can get up to 3 meters in length and weigh in excess of 400lbs, here at TopCats we know of two over 100lbs in weight, the lake record being 130lbs held by expat Graeme “Tayo” Taylor and several others in the 60-100 lb range.
A lot of people confused them with the more docile Mekong Catfish but the bigger rounded mouth and the shark like dorsal fin are clear differentiators
