Pangasius

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Pangasius usually refers to the iridescent shark catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, a large river fish native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya systems of Southeast Asia. Juveniles are silver-gray, fast-moving, and sharklike in outline, which explains their aquarium trade name, but adults become deep-bodied catfish capable of reaching far beyond ordinary home aquarium size. The same species is also important in food production, where it is farmed and sold as swai or related market names.

For aquaculture, pangasius are managed in ponds and cages with close attention to stocking density, water quality, feed conversion, harvest size, and processing standards. In the aquarium trade, the challenge is almost the opposite: small juveniles are sold before buyers understand the space they will need. Long-term care requires very large systems, strong filtration, open swimming room, and calm handling because the fish can panic and injure itself. Public aquariums and large private facilities are more realistic homes for adults.