The giant freshwater stingray is one of the largest and heaviest freshwater fishes in the world. The 15-inch barb on the base of its tail can penetrate flesh & bone as easily as an arrow. This gives the Mekong a dynamic and mostly unstudied ecology, he said. Giant freshwater stingrays are the largest freshwater fishes and are famous for their giant freshwater stingray barb on the tail spine. Fishing for the Giant freshwater stingray in Thailand can result is battles lasting several hours. Weighing as much as a five-year-old child and with a 5ft-long tail, this giant freshwater stingray might appear to be a monster. It is a dark brown color with yellow or orange spots. 5 Territorial Disputes. Giant Stingrays are known to prowl river systems in Thailand, Borneo, New Guinea and northern Australia. Ms. Chea has been working in these communities since 2005, developing trust and building partnerships between the project and the people who share the river with these species. Record keepers confirmed that the 661-pound freshwater stingray caught on June 13, was indeed the largest freshwater fish in the world. Distribution and Habitat The Giant Freshwater Stingray is found in Malaysia and Thailand river systems. Placoid scales, just like shark teeth, are lost and re-grown on a regular basis. And that work seems to be paying off. Whilst freshwater stingray fishing in Thailand we have captured several pregnant Giant freshwater stingrays which have miraculously given birth to live young. Giant Stingray numbers appear to have dropped dramatically in recent years as their river habitats have degraded and it appears they no longer inhabit some parts of their historical range. Some larger freshwater species, like the giant freshwater stingrays of Southeast Asia, may live 25 years or longer, but scientists don't know for sure, he said. The Red-Tailed Tinfoil Barb is one of Thailands smaller carp species which inhabits rivers throughout the Chaophraya and Mekong River Basins. The new species was named Himantura kittipongi after prominent Thai fish expert Kittipong Jaruthanin who first observed the ray in 2004. Hammerhead sharks these are the most common threat to stingrays. The prehistoric Giant freshwater stingray inhabits some of the wildest and remote waters on earth including the Mekong, Maeklong, Ban Pakong, Chaophraya, Tachin and Tapi Rivers in Thailand and is also distributed in Borneo, New Guinea and Australia. The Giant Freshwater Sting Ray ( Himantura chaophraya) is an endangered species and is close to going on the critical list. The Wonders of the Mekong partnership is working with scientists to better understand the habitat. "You can think of [the barbs as] fingernails. White Sturgeon - (Acipenser transmontanus) Length: 20 feet Weight: 990 pounds Location: North American rivers and Pacific estuaries The Giant freshwater stingrays underside is of a very smooth nature characteristically white in colour with a grey to brown colouration around the edges. A Giant Stingray May Be the World's Largest Freshwater Fish In the Mekong River in Cambodia, fishers and researchers found a 13-foot-long, 661-pound stingray a win for conservation. Rivers in Thailand support a wide variety of both plant and animal species in their river ecosystems. Stingrays are endangered because of the oil spill and predators like the hammerhead shark. These forces have resulted in substantial population declines in at least central Thailand and Cambodia. PADDLEBOARDERS SPOT MASSIVE SUNFISH BENEATH THEM OFF CALIFORNIA COAST The one that didn't get away - an 18-hour effort On the river, the fisherman did all he could to keep the stingray on the line and from running. These fishes have cruised the oceans since the Paleozoic era. June 20, 2022 in News For 17 years, Zeb Hogan, a biologist, has been searching for the world's largest freshwater fish. Some smaller tankmates are easily ambushed at night while the stingrays are hunting, so be sure provide plenty of hiding spots so that they can sleep undisturbed. Video by University of Nevada, Reno. Giant freshwater stringray Giant freshwater stingray. This version of the page will remain live for reference purposes as we work to update the content across our website. Giant freshwater stingrays can be found in Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Burma, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Vietnam, Working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature. A huge cavernous mouth is located on the underside of the stingray lined with highly abrasive crushing pads. Cambodian fishermen on the Mekong River inadvertently hooked an endangered giant freshwater stingray four metres long and weighing 180 kilos. They . The female leviathan, one of Southeast Asia's largest and rarest species of fish, was caught by accident last week in Stung Treng . Unknown to science until 1990, the giant freshwater stingray is an elusive creature that inhabits deep rivers in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nor. Stingrays are endangered because of the oil spill and predators like the hammerhead shark. The Wonders of the Mekong partnership is working with scientists to better understand the habitat. It typically inhabits large rivers with muddy or sandy bottom. The Giant Mekong Catfish in Thailand is a contender for the worlds largest freshwater fish and has been caught at incredible weights to 293kgs in the wild. Once a Giant Stingray manages to get back down to the river bottom, its almost impossible to move. These rivers are warm and silty. Why are Stingrays endangered in Thailand? Stories abound in those communities about much larger rays that have been chopped into small pieces for sale in the local market, she said. They often bury themselves in sandy or silted river bottoms, where they breathe through holes or spiracles, located on the tops of their bodies. Determining the sex of these mighty living fossils is a relatively easy exercise with male specimens displaying obvious genitalia called claspers similar to those of a shark at the base of the tail. Ms. Chea said a local leader told her that he had never seen a giant freshwater stingray. No one is sure how many Giant Stingrays are left, which habitats they prefer or even if they ever venture into the ocean where their more commonly known relatives dwell. For instance, Dr. Chandra and his team were surprised to discover recently that beneath the Mekongs surface, there were hidden pools more than 250 feet deep. These stingrays can grow to more than 16 feet across and weigh 1,300 pounds! Further comparison of blood samples taken from captive Giant freshwater Stingrays with wild Giant freshwater stingrays caught from the Maeklong River indicated highly increased health levels in the wild Giant freshwater stingray population in Thailand. Catfish, Giant Mekong. However, what we know of this fish is it is inquisitive and non-aggressive. Some specimens of freshwater stingray have been known to weigh up . The barb from a 700 pound Giant Freshwater Stingray can reach about 11 inches. In fact, Ms. Chea said, another giant stingray was caught in April. Giant freshwater stingrays can be found throughout East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia, and some . As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the giant freshwater stingray as Endangered. . After releasing the acoustically implanted stingrays back into the Maeklong River, several acoustic receivers were strategically deployed at various points in the Maeklong River to monitor the movements of the tagged fish. Please note: This page has been archived and its content may no longer be up-to-date. 300-kilogram stingray. Tank Size. Their tail has a deadly barb at its base which can be as long as 38cm - the largest of any stingray - and can easily penetrate human skin and even bone, much like an arrow and typically inject poison. Some pelagic stingrays hunt in the upper waters of the oceans to catch bony fish like sardines, salmon, anchovies, pufferfish, mackerel, and even plankton. The Giant Freshwater stingray is one of Largest freshwater fish species in the world. The giant freshwater stingray, Urogymnus polylepis, is the worlds largest stingray species, known also as a whipray. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Much of what is known about big rivers as ecosystems comes from the Mississippi River and rivers in Europe. Jelly-filled sensory pores Ampullae of Lorenzini, located on the skin around the nose and mouth on the underside of the disc, are present in most elasmobranchs and allow sharks and rays to detect minute electric fields generated by living things.This is especially useful for freshwater stingrays because it allows them to hunt down prey that might be buried in the riverbed or hiding in murky water. However, in June 2022 a Cambodian fisherman fishing on the Mekong River caught a female giant freshwater stingray ( Urogymnus polylepis) which claimed the title of the largest freshwater fish in the world. To fish for our stingray we recommend using the meat from the giant freshwater snails, or alternatively you can use very small fish sections. . Though they recently have become a prized catch for sport fishermen, destruction of river habitat is probably a bigger threat to the Giant Stingrays existence. After receiving a call from the fisherman who caught the stingray, Ms. Chea and her team drove eight hours through the night to assist with its release. Privacy Policy Contact Us Terms & Conditions. If the stingray loses one of its barbs while defending itself, it immediately begins to grow a new one. The central section of the disc-like body of the stingray is houses the stingrays internal organs and in some specimens displaying the endoskeleton of the creature. Stingrays are flat, marine fish, named after the barbed spines, or stingers present on their long tails. Female specimens are easily distinguishable by an absence of claspers in this region. These ancient fish have changed little over many millions of years, can reach 16.5 feet (5 meters) long & weigh up to 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms). The Giant Stingray is one of the worlds largest freshwater fish, but its also cloaked in mystery. 2 Biodiversity and Habitats. Design: Studio Adn. You can use a 75 to 90-gallon tank for juvenile stingrays, but adults must . Whats the difference between manta rays and stingrays? They are also found in the Kinabatangan River in Malaysia, as well as the island of Borneo (in the Mahakam River). Giant freshwater stingray, freshwater whipray. It is also home to giant softshell turtles, the Mekong. . Although the tank height isn't important, the aquarium for freshwater stingrays should be at least 72" to 84" in length and between 24" and 36" wide. Enormous stingray sets world record for largest freshwater fish A 661-pound giant freshwater stingray, temporarily removed from the water to be weighed, is the largest freshwater fish. Of course, it does not always play out like this, Ms. Chea said. The Giant Freshwater Stingray has a dark brown surface on its upper/dorsal side with a highly abrasive textured skin covered in placoid scales, the tiny tooth-like structures that protect the skin of elasmobranchs and give it a sandpaper-like texture. . The mouth of the stingray is located on the ventral side of the vertebrate. What fish can I keep with Firemouth Cichlid? She swam away calmly, but then appeared again, which made us feel so, so happy, said Ms. Chea. Its lifespan for example, remains unknown and although theyve only been discovered in rivers, its unclear whether the fish ever venture into saltwater. Though they can grow to epic proportions, over-harvesting for the stingrays meat, accidental deaths in fishing nets and habitat fragmentation and degradation from dams, pollution and other human activities have made the animals endangered. Then, they helped guide the colossus back to the Mekongs depths. Giant freshwater stingrays can be found in Australia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Burma, Papua New Guinea . The miniature acoustic tags after being expertly surgically implanted inside the stingrays where firmly sealed with sutures and treated with antiseptic ointment. Giant Freshwater Stingrays have a total width between 6.25'-8' (1.91-2.44 m) and overall disc length of 6.6'-8.5' (2 . At the time of writing he Fishsiam team in Thailand has successfully captured and released four hundred and fifty Giant freshwater Stingray whilst fishing at the Ban Pakong River and Maeklong River in Thailand. Thus concealed, they await prey, usually clams & crabs and can detect an animals presence by its electrical field. Cambodian fishermen on the Mekong River got a. The catch, together with other data collected by a recent scientific expedition to the area, suggests that the remote site - which is characterized by pools up to 260 feet deep and is an essential . Other interesting scientific data obtained during the research of pregnant Giant freshwater stingrays has shown blood samples taken from pregnant Giant freshwater stingrays to clot almost immediately. So you what to become a Marine Biologist! Giant Stingrays locate prey usually clams and crabs, with a sensor that can detect an animal's electrical field. Giant freshwater stingray research in Thailand is still ongoing at the Maeklong River with the majority of fish caught by our clients now examined by veterinary scientists post capture. In January 2009 the worlds first comprehensive attempt to scientifically study the amazing Giant Freshwater Stingray in Thailand began with National Geographic explorer Dr.Zeb Hogan and Dr.Nantaika Chansue from Chulalongkorn University working in collaboration with the Fishsiam team in Thailand. This biological richness usually remains hidden from human view. The urolophid, or round stingrays, are considerably smaller, the largest attaining a length of about 75 cm. It was shaking, and I told her, Calm down, we will release you soon, said Chea Seila, a coordinator for the Wonders of the Mekong Project. Each ray has a deadly barb at the base of its tail. Srey Sam Vichet, head of the provincial fisheries administration, said on June 15 that the caught giant freshwater stingray weighed 300kg and measured 398cm from head to tail, with a width of 220cm. Giant freshwater stingray (Himantura chaophraya) Name: Giant freshwater stingray (Himantura chaophraya) Status: Native. It is thought that these barb protectors are shed as the young Giant freshwater stingray grow older. They often bury themselves in sandy or silted river bottoms and breathe through holes or spiracles, located on top of their bodies. It detects its prey with electroreceptive sensing organs. one of the largest freshwater species in the world, the giant stingray was first identified by scientists in the 1990s. She said she heard him identify the animal to them and say, You should protect it so your kids in the future will also know that we have a giant stingray in our village., Watch a Giant Stingrays Safe Return to Its River Home, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/science/giant-freshwater-stingray.html. If thats not enough to get your attention, its also arguably the most bizarre-looking one with its outlandishly wide, pancake-flat body and whip-like tail. Is a stingray bigger than a catfish? The Mekong River is home to enormous and endangered aquatic life. For 17 years, Zeb Hogan, a biologist, has been searching for the world's largest freshwater fish. One of the biggest differences between manta rays and stingrays is that manta rays do NOT have a tail "stinger" or barb like stingrays. The stingray had to be released delicately both to keep the animal safe and to protect humans from its venomous barb. Cutting edge scientific analysis conducted by the Chulalongkorn research team in Bangkok of toxicology samples taken from the barbs of the stingrays has revealed a close chemical signature to that of the highly necrotic venom of a Pit Viper snake. The giant freshwater stingray (Himantura chaophraya) is a mysterious fish with very little known about it because it loves to bury itself in the mud at river beds and is also difficult to angle. It is also home to giant softshell turtles, the Mekong giant catfish and the giant barb, a type of fish. Giant freshwater stingrays belong to the class Chondrichthyes and are most commonly found in rivers in Asia especially in Thailand. Use a semi-fixed lead with a backlead in conjunction with a 15in hooklink made from soft braid in a minimum 150lb bs. Now, familiarize yourself with the new record-holder in the largest freshwater fish category: a giant stingray that measures about 13 feet long and weighs 660 pounds. Earlier this month, a local . Is the giant freshwater Sting Ray endangered? The Himantura kittipongi freshwater stingray and was first observed in 2004 but was only confirmed as a new species by researchers from WWF-Thailand and the US-based Smithsonian Institute in 2006. They often bury themselves in sandy or silted river bottoms and breathe through holes or spiracles, located on top of their bodies. The world's largest recorded freshwater fish has been discovered in the Mekong River in Cambodia, say scientists. The ray is believed to exist in only small numbers. 3 Economic Importance. The giant oceanic ray is the largest ray in the world and can reach lengths up to 23 feet wide and weigh nearly 2,980 pounds. Hooks need to be minimum 4/0 with the barbs crushed. Most fishermen cut bait (quit) after several exhausting & fruitless hours of struggle. Giant stingrays are bottom feeders, preying on fish, prawns, mussels, clams, and whatever else they can find. Coated with poisonous mucus, this large venomous stinger can be 28-38 cm long. The giant freshwater stingray ( Urogymnus polylepis , also widely known by the junior synonym Himantura chaophraya) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. Fishsiam has featured in numerous TV documentaries concerning Giant Freshwater Stingrays in Thailand with our most recent notable appearances being with National Geographic explorer Dr.Zeb Hogan and Jeremy Wade River Monsters on Animal Planet. Last week, fishermen in northern Cambodia captured a rare giant freshwater stingray in the Mekong River, a reminder of the unique aquatic ecology that is threatened by a rash of ill . If you could somehow dip the Statue of Liberty and its pedestal into one of these chasms, only the torch would remain above water. A 400-pound fishs release shows how some conservation efforts in Cambodia are paying off. At the front of the pronounced body section small protruding periscope eyes are located allowing the freshwater stingray a limited field of vision of the water column above whilst buried in the muddy riverbed. Stingrays are known to visit cleaning stations, where small fish remove and eat any parasites from the rays body. A recent survey of rivers in Indonesia suggests that a species known as the giant freshwater stingray may indeed grow much heavier than the giant catfish, with one stingray caught by a . 2. Are there any rays that are threatened with extinction? Throughout the Giant Freshwater Stingray research expedition Dr.Zeb Hogan and Dr.Nantaika Chansue collected crucial scientific data from the Giant freshwater stingrays with assistance from the Department of Fisheries. Marine Biological Sciences, "Robson Bight-Michael Bigg" Ecological Reserve, The First Captive Killer Whale A Changing Attitude, Differences between Skates, Chimaeras & Rays, Differences between Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises. Just after dawn on May 5, scientists working along a stretch of the Mekong River in Cambodia released a giant, endangered freshwater stingray that had been caught on a fishermans line. Phnom Penh: A fisherman on the Mekong River in Cambodia has hooked the biggest freshwater fish ever recorded, scientists said a 300-kilogram stingray. Synopsis of Oceanography & Marine Biology. This evolutionary adaptation allows them to breathe more easily while they are hiding in the substrate. Before freeing the stingray, Ms. Chea and her colleagues took noninvasive samples that would help with future study of the species. This build is one of the few freshwater cartilaginous. Carnivorous fish most fish wouldnt be able to fit a stingray in their mouth, so these ones must be quite big. We're not around right now. Southeast Asian fishermen have caught a few big Giant Stingrays over the years, mostly by accident but there are tales of even more enormous freshwater Giant Stingrays that dwell in the remote Cambodian back-country. What is the difference between a swordtail and a Platy. For 17 years, Zeb Hogan, a biologist, has been searching for the world's largest freshwater fish. Why are Stingrays endangered in Thailand? feel free to call us +447542 201929 info@fishsiam.com. There are other differences as well. The Giant Freshwater Stingray belongs to the class Chondrichthyes, which includes all 850 species of sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras. American biologist Zeb Hogan is is on a worldwide quest for the largest freshwater fish. It wasnt discovered by humans until around 1990, even though theis likely an ancient species millions of years old. They are brown to gray in color, wide and flat in form and they sport a long, whip-like tail. As we prepare to ship these giant freshwater stingrays, I will show you how I clip the spine and spikes on the tail.Center for Stingray Biology is the larges. 2020 WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature 1986 Panda Symbol WWF World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) WWF is a WWF Registered Trademark Creative Commons license. People who live along the Mekong rely on the rivers bounty for food and income. Not a great deal is known about its habits and life cycle in its native habitats. At 13 feet long and 400 pounds, the gigantic animal pancake was larger than a hibachi table. Giant freshwater stingrays are born in mixed sex groups consisting of both male and females. Giant freshwater stingray Common Name: Giant freshwater stingrays Scientific Name: Urogymnus polylepis Type: Fish Diet: Carnivore Size: up to 8 feet in length (disc only) Weight: up to. The fish had been captured accidentally after it swallowed a smaller fish on a baited hook. On June 13, his team found it a giant freshwater stingray, or Urogymnus polylepis. The basic dorsoventrally compressed body plan of the Giant freshwater stingray is thought to have originated during the Jurassic period, approximately 100 Mya. Fishsiam Ltd is extremely proud to be the only fishing company in the world assisting with the scientific research of the Giant freshwater stingray in Thailand and is committed to the continued scientific study of this most enigmatic and under studied monster fish species. Though stingrays do not readily attack humans, they are one of the few mega-fishes that can pose a real danger to those who handle them. The Giant Freshwater Stingray has a dark brown surface on its upper/dorsal side with a highly abrasive textured skin covered in placoid scales, the tiny tooth-like structures that protect the skin of elasmobranchs and give it a sandpaper-like texture. A fisherman on the Mekong river in Cambodia has hooked the biggest freshwater fish ever recorded, scientists say. At the Sea Life London Aquarium, two female stingrays delivered seven baby stingrays, although the mothers have not been near a male for two years. The giant freshwater stingray is one of the heavyweight fish builds of the Mekong, though it can also be found in the Chao Praya server. Thai rivers have been plagued by serious pollution, overfishing and dam building, which have taken a deadly toll on Thailands once diverse and abundant river life. This coagulation of the blood from pregnant female stingrays is suspected to be an evolutionary defensive mechanism in the blood designed to stop blood leakage during birth and the attraction of predatory species as in other Shark species. can be over 35 cm long and is filled with toxins. As a result of its size it is a VERY very strong fighter which sticks to the bottom, battles can go on for hours. Only described by scientists in 1990, the giant freshwater stingray occurs in several river systems in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. No one is sure how many giant stingrays are left, which habitats they prefer, or even if they ever venture into the ocean, where their more commonly known relatives dwell. 4 Environmental Threats. The Motoro is a good first stingray because it is the most forgiving of all the species on this list. Watch out for that barb Their tail has a deadly barb at its base which can be as long as 38cm - the largest of any stingray - and can easily penetrate human skin and even bone, much like an arrow and typically inject poison. However, the Motoro is a large species and can grow up to 36 inches in diameter. For the giant freshwater stingray from South America, see short-tailed river stingray. This mighty Paleozoic freshwater predator is easily identifiable due to its immense rounded disc-like shape measuring up to three metres in width with a prominent snout tip and whip-like tail. Giant Stingrays are seldom seen because they lead a stealthy existence. Giant stingray caught in Cambodia is world's largest freshwater fish by Carolyn Cowan on 21 June 2022 The largest freshwater fish ever recorded was captured last week in Cambodia's stretch of the Mekong River: a giant freshwater stingray measuring 4 meters (13 feet) from snout to tail and weighing 300 kilograms (661 pounds). Round stingrays have . The giant freshwater stingray, which measured 4 meters (13 feet) from snout to tail, was caught last week and released back into the wild after being fitted with a tag to track its behavior. When the spine is deployed, the barb pierces the venom sac along with the victims skin, and the poisonous slime is introduced into the wound. An enormous and endangered fish - a 400-pound, 13-foot-long giant freshwater stingray - was hooked by fishermen from a small island community in the middle of the Mekong River on May 5, 2022.. During the course of the expedition, which saw us stingray fishing every day several Giant freshwater stingrays were surgically implanted with acoustic tags by the scientists. THE BOTTOM LINE If embedded, a stingray barb should be removed by a doctor. View our Cookie Policy. Aptly named the "giant freshwater stingray," this species is believed to be the largest freshwater fish species in the world. (opens in new tab) The largest species is the giant freshwater stingray (Himantura chaophraya), found in rivers in southeast Asia. It is also home to giant softshell turtles, the Mekong giant catfish and the giant barb, a type of fish. While Australian populations - which generally average much smaller than those in Southeast Asia . Marine Biology, Oceanography & Ocean Engineering, The Future a.k.a. Do aquariums cut off stingrays stinger? They arrived at 3 a.m., and waited with the fish until the sun came up. On June 13, his team found it a giant freshwater stingray, or Urogymnus polylepis. (I accept). The sharp barb can be over 35 cm long and is filled with toxins. Giant freshwater stingrays are found in the large river systems of Thailand, including the Mekong, Chao Phraya, Nan, Bang Kapong, Prachin Buri, and Tapi River basins. Males are smaller than females, which can be eight times bigger. We hope you found this article helpful. Because it was only recently discovered, theres relatively little information available about the Giant Stingray, compared to more familiar species of fish. We use cookies to analyse how visitors use our website and to help us provide the best possible experience for users. The male Giant Freshwater Stingray is much smaller than the female, which can be as large as eight times bigger the male. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. In a very small number of species, like the freshwater whipray (Himantura chaophraya), the mother cares for her young by having them swim with her until they are one-third of her size. Are giant freshwater stingrays endangered? Even with the major environmental problems in the Lower Mekong, like dams, forest change and overfishing, these large, charismatic species are still there, wanting to persist.. Anyone can read what you share. Irwin didn't die immediately and believed he simply had a punctured lung, but the barb pierced his heart and he bled out. 8 these freshwater fish can grow to massive sizes, with some weighing. If you look closely, you will see that the barbs have been removed, so there's no danger of being stuck, Smith says. Although endangered in its wild habitat, this species is widely stocked into fishing lakes in Thailand. In addition two rows of five gill slits are located on the smooth underside/ventral side of the prehistoric stingray. This build is the largest Stingray build as well as one of the largest freshwater fish builds available. AMAZE YOUR FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEWFOUND KNOWLEDGE Now that you know the many differences between manta rays and stingrays use it to amaze your friends! Giant Stingrays locate prey usually clams and crabs, with a sensor that can detect an animals electrical field. The Java Barb is native carp species to Thailand and several other Asian countries and is one of Thailands smaller and lesser known freshwater fish species. During the highly adventurous and pioneering two week Giant freshwater stingray fishing expedition the scientists assisted by the fishermen conducted groundbreaking research and scientific examinations on various Giant Freshwater stingrays caught whilst fishing at the Maeklong River and Ban Pakong River in Thailand. What is the biggest fish in the Mekong River? The barb is extremely sharp (it has been known penetrate bone), and it operates under the same principle as an arrowhead it slides into flesh fairly easily, but the serrated edges make it very difficult and painful to extract. The giant freshwater stingray ( Himantura polylepis) is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, Hogan said. It measured 2.7m from head to tail, and weighed 293kg. Longest Rivers In Thailand 1 Overview of the Major Rivers in Thailand. Rare in its natural environment with main populations around the Chao Phraya and MaeKlong river systems in Thailand. Most likely the world's largest freshwater fish, the giant freshwater stingray can weigh up to 600kg and grow to a length of 5m from nose to tail. Lately, Thailand adventure tourism impresarios have been promoting Giant Stingrays as a fun challenge for sport fishermen because of their impressive size & reputation for fighting hard when hooked. The Giant Freshwater Stingray is armed with two venomous barbs located close to the base of its tail which have two components: the sharp inner barb used for piercing, and a thin sheath surrounding it that contains the venom. Also, manta rays arent hunters like stingrays, but are filter feeders, swimming with their mouth open to sift out small animals living in the water column, Kajiura said. What is the importance of rivers in Thailand? Lemon sharks another big danger! The Giant Stingray can grow to be as long as 16.5 feet and weigh as much as 1,200 pounds, potentially the largest freshwater fish on the planet. With dusky-brown tops and creamy white bottoms, the animals slide across riverbeds in search of fish and invertebrates. Its size and power are tremendous and trying to land one of these giant freshwater rays has been compared with battling with a submarine. Himantura Chaophraya is considered threatened at the time of writing and is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Urogymnus polylepis. She measured a remarkable 3.98m in length (tail included) and 2.2m in width. The rest of the ray is considered too rubbery to have any culinary uses. During the course of other research expeditions in Thailand we observed a degree of social interaction between the Giant freshwater stingrays, with hooked Giant freshwater stingray being followed up to the surface layers by other Giant freshwater stingrays on several occasions. . The Giant Freshwater Stingray has a dark brown surface on its upper/dorsal side with a highly abrasive textured skin covered in placoid scales, the tiny tooth-like structures that protect the skin of elasmobranchs and give it a sandpaper-like texture. Giant Stingrays are known to prowl river systems in Thailand, Borneo, New Guinea and northern Australia. The giant freshwater stingray lives in the Greater Mekong, a priority region for WWF. Similarly to the teeth or dorsal spines of a shark, stingray spines are thought to have originated from placoid scales, the tiny tooth-like structures that protect the skin of elasmobranches and give it a sandpaper-like texture. The Mekong River is the longest at 2,703 miles. Like sharks, they have existed for a very long time and lack a swim bladder. The Giant Freshwater Stingray isn't generally aggressive towards humans, but the barb in its tail can do some serious damage if whipped around in self-defense. Why are giant stingrays better than other Mekong fish? The giant freshwater stingray ( Urogymnus polylepis , also widely known by the junior synonym Himantura chaophraya) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. . The stingray was accidentally caught by fishermen in an 80-metre-deep pool in the Mekong in Cambodia's northeastern Stung Treng province, and the visiting scientists helped return the animal. Some public aquariums have pools with stingrays that visitors can pet. On the other hand, stingrays range from the size of a dinner plate to massive specimens only slightly smaller than a manta ray. Stingrays are a diversified species of fish that live in both marine and freshwater environments. 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