Confirmed catching world's largest freshwater fish on Mekong River

"We record the stingray measuring 3.98 m from head to tail, 2.2 m wide and weighing 300 kg as the world's largest freshwater fish," Guinness World Records said in a statement, adding that it was caught on the Mekong River in Cambodia on June 13, 2022.

The giant stingray was named Boramy (Full Moon) by the conservation group Wonders of the Mekong, then fitted with a tracking device and released back into the wild.

“Since the female stingray was released into the river, we have collected invaluable information about this beautiful species through our acoustic tagging system, which is helping us protect this endangered species,” shared the Wonders of the Mekong conservation group.

Xác nhận bắt được cá nước ngọt lớn nhất thế giới trên sông Mê Kông - Ảnh 1.

The stingray was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest freshwater fish. Photo: Wonders of the Mekong

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Cambodia Director Seng Teak said the giant stingray is the pride of Cambodia.

The Khmer Times describes the stretch of the Mekong River in Cambodia's Stung Treng and Kratie provinces as the best habitat for stingrays.

Mr. Seng Teak added that the 100-km stretch of the Mekong River in the two provinces is home to many freshwater species such as the Asian giant softshell turtle, Mekong catfish and giant barramundi.

“This means our Mekong River is home to a wealth of giant animals. This is something we can be proud of and we must do our best to protect them,” said Mr Seng.

Xác nhận bắt được cá nước ngọt lớn nhất thế giới trên sông Mê Kông - Ảnh 2.

The fish, named Boramy, is 3.98 m long and weighs 300 kg. Photo: Wonders of the Mekong

Freshwater fish are defined as fish that spend their entire lives in freshwater, as opposed to giant marine fish such as bluefin tuna and marlin, or fish that migrate between fresh and salt water such as the giant beluga sturgeon.

The newly discovered stingray not only sets a new record but is also a sign of recovery for the Mekong River.

Fishermen caught a Boramy stingray in Koh Preah commune, Siem Bok district, Stung Treng province. Before catching the giant stingray, the fishermen said they saw "big black shadows under the water at night".

According to the Washington Post, the previous record for the world's largest freshwater fish belonged to a 293 kg giant catfish discovered in Thailand in 2005.

Nearly a third of all freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction, according to WWF. Since 1970, the number of freshwater fish weighing 30 kg or more has declined by 94%. In 2020 alone, 16 species were declared extinct, including the Chinese paddlefish.