CATFISH SPECIES:

  • Chao Praya Catfish
  • Giant Seacatfish
  • Grey Eel Catfish
  • Hemibagrus Wyckii
  • Hemibagrus Wyckioides
  • Mekong Giant Catfish
  • Salween Shovelnose
  • Shark Catfish
  • Striped Catfish
  • Thai African Catfish
  • Thickspined Catfish
  • Truncated Estuarine
  • Walking Catfish, African

SNAKEHEAD SPECIES:

  • Dwarf Snakehead
  • Giant Snakehead
  • Great Snakehead
  • Splendid Snakehead
  • Striped Snakehead

FEATHERBACK SPECIES

OTHER SPECIES

  • Alligator Gar
  • Pacu
  • Arapaima
  • Suckermouth Catfish
  • Barramundi
  • Boeseman Croaker 1
  • Boeseman Croaker 2
  • Fourfinger Threadfin
  • Freshwater garfish
  • Giant Gourami
  • Mangrove Jack
  • Marbled Goby
  • Nandid Tiger Perch
  • Northern Paradise Fish
  • Pacu
  • Parambassis siamensis
  • Swamp Eel
  • Tilapia Nile & Java
  • Tilapia, Blotched Red
  • Wrestling Halfbeak


Fish Thailand

Thailand's Fish Species

The Arapaima

The Arapaima is the world's largest freshwater predator, and some believe it to be a contender as the world's largest freshwater fish, although that's doubtful it's certainly up there in the top 5.

An 86kg Arapaima.

In South America there are unsubstantiated reports of this fish growing to weight's of over 800LB, but as yet there is no solid evidence of this fact. There is a strong head of mature Arapaima in Bungsamran, and typically the largest ones are approaching 200kgs or 440LB, but some private collectors in Thailand we have spoken to believe they have fish of 300kgs.

A mature Arapaima was recently captured in one of Vietnams rivers that adjoins the Mekong, so it seems as if now it's only a matter of time before we see specimens cropping up in the wild throughout SE Asia.

The Arapaima has adapted well to life in Thailand's lakes where an abundance of prey fish have help the Arapaima grow to world record proportions at record speeds. It's now possible to fish several venues in Thailand that have Arapaima approaching 200kgs, including Gillham's Fishing Resort (which has the largest head of big Arapaima), Lake Monsters in Ratchburi Province, and of course Bungsamran, as well as several other venues.

Current IGFA All Tackle Record:

83kgs/182lbs15 oz. Pirarucu/Arapaima gigas All-Tackle -Laganto Cocha Ecuador Per-Ola Johannesson Feb. 16, 2003

Other common names:

  • Pirarucu
  • Pla Tjon Amazon
  • Arapaima gigas
  • Paiche

Identification:

Large silver to dark scales with brilliant red flashing to the underside on larger specimens. Nearer the tail, the red becomes more pronounced. Pike shaped head with a sloping face and protruding lower jaw. Long and low dorsal and anal fins, near the tail.

Dimensions:

Weights of over 770LB have been reported, measuring up to 300cm nose to tail.

Baits & Tactics:

Usually with a live bait, dead bait and niave fish on the lure, fishing similar tactics to those used in the UK for Pike fishing, but beefed up for the Arapaima, to heavy spinning rods and big pit reels or multipliers. Due to the risk of gut hooking some misguided venues will now not allow anglers to pursue the Arapaima, or if they do, insist on high day ticket fee's. Gut Hooking can easily be avoided with the right tactics.

Fighting Characteristics:

A predatory fish of considerable size, the Arapaima can be a handful, often leaping clean out of the water when hooked and shaking it's head vigorously to try and shed the hook. Like many predatory fish it has speed, but not as much stamina as some of Thailand's catfish for example so can be beaten quickly on heavy tackle.

Catch Report:

A relatively easy species to catch, if the right tactics are adopted. Numerous large Arapaima over 100kg are now being caught almost daily at several of Thailand's fisheries. Gillhams Fishing Resort is currently producing the most big fish. Lake Monsters has a bigger head of smaller fish and of course Bungsamran can produce huge specimens if the angler is prepared to pay the day ticket fees! (It costs nearly £300 a day to fish for Arapaima at Bungsamran) There is an ever  growing number of fishing venues in Thailand where the angler can pursue the Arapaima, including fly-fishing if the fish have not wised up!

Venues:

Follow the venue links below to find out where you can catch the Arapaima.