Pangasius djambal
Pangasius djambal is a species of freshwater fish in the family Pangasiidae, commonly found in Southeast Asia.
Etymology
The generic name Pangasius and the specific epithet djambal both refer to the name of the fish in the local languages of South East Asia; Assamese, and Malayan/Sundanese respectively.
Description
Pangasius djambal was first described by the Dutch naturalist Pieter Bleeker in 1846, it is native to the Mekong basin, Malaysia and Indonesia. It has an elongated body, typically silver-gray in color with a pale underside. It can grow up to around in length and 16 Kilograms in weight and has a large head with long barbels on each side of the upper jaw, aiding its bottom-feeding habits. This species is omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, detritus, and plant matter, and prefers slow-moving, turbid waters with muddy or sandy substrates. Pangasius djambal plays an ecological role in local ecosystems but faces potential threats from habitat degradation and overfishing.
Fisheries
The species is fished commercially, especially in Indonesia, and is considered a promising candidate for use in aquaculture due to its rapid growth and high protein content.