Latin name

Netuma thalassina

Other name

Giant sea catfish, giant salmon catfish, giant marine-catfish, khagga.

Identification

The species was described by Eduard Rüppell in 1837, originally as the genus Bagrus.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14-21. 

Fish colouring

The body of this fish is silvery gray.

Distribution

They inhabit the waters of Japan, Australia, Polynesia, southern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta, the Red Sea, and the northwestern Indian Ocean. 

Habitat

A marine, tropical, bottom-dwelling amphidromous species. These fish live in estuaries and occasionally in freshwater at depths of 10 to 195 m (33 to 640 ft).

Size

Maximum total length is 185 cm (73 inches), but this species usually reaches 70 cm (28 inches). Maximum reported weight: 1 kg.

Behavior

It is a euryhaline species. The fish is reported to occasionally ascend to freshwater.

Food and feeding habits

They feed primarily on crabs, shrimp, Japanese mantis shrimp (Squilla spp.), and fish and shellfish.  

Reproduction

Spawns from April to August. Incubates eggs in mouth. The young remain hidden in the males' mouths for the first 2 months. Once the fry leave, the males begin to feed voraciously and may eat their young.

Fishing

Giant catfish are harvested commercially and for aquarium culture.Relationship with a person.

Relationship with a person

Are an important food fish. It is sold mainly in fresh form, often in dried form.

Traumatogenic for humans.