Thailand's Fish Species

Black Earred Catfish

Black Earred Catfish

Black Earred Catfish - Description

What a cute little catfish this is. If they did "His" and "Hers" Chao Praya Catfish, the black eared would be hers! Many of these fish are captured but often anglers just assume that they have captured a small Chao Praya. However upon closer inspection it is clear that this fishes design is subtly different than its big brother the Chao Praya. It has a number of identifying factors the most obvious of which is the black spot behind the gill cover, but also it has a smaller less refined tail, and similarly the other fins are of more modest dimensions and appearance, it also has an even shorter blunter nose than the already blunt Chao Praya. Even so this spirited little fish will put up a hell of a scrap on light tackle taking runs similar to those of the Chao Praya, which in our opinion is probably one of Thailand's best sport fish.

Black Earred Catfish - Vital Statistics

Name: Black Earred Catfish
Species: Pangasius larnaudii
Thai name: Pla Tapa
Max length in excess: 1.2 m
Max weight: 30 kg
IGFA record:  VACANT
Diet: fish, shrimps.

Where to fish for the Black Earred Catfish

To date we have only captured this fish at Lake Monsters, Palm Tree Lagoon,  but they are present at Bungsamran and probably Shadow Lake too.