Pangasianodon

Pangasius ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus )

The genus Pangasianodon from the family of shark catfish includes two types: P. hypophthalmus ( " Catfish " ) and P. gigas ( " Mekong giant catfish "). Both are found only in the Mekong and its tributaries and are fished, so wild stocks are under threat. While P. hypophthalmus is also one of the most important aquaculture fish of Southeast Asia, who first attempts to take P. gigas in culture, only just begun.

The genus Pangasianodon was separated from the genus Pangasius based on morphological and molecular differences, but is still sometimes performed as a subgenus. In addition to the typical physique of siamese catfish with scales loose, elongated body, short dorsal fin with spine and long anal fin itself has the kind Pangasianodon by a number of characteristics: The barbels on the lower jaw are missing, also in the adult stage, the teeth in the terminal mouth. The ventral fin carries 8 to 9 rays and the swim bladder is einlappig.