| Biology |
Inhabits ponds,
streams and rivers, preferring stagnant and muddy water of
plains. Found mainly in swamps, but also occurs in the
lowland rivers. More common in relatively deep (1-2 m),
still water. Very common in freshwater plains. Occurs in
medium to large rivers, brooks, flooded fields and stagnant
waters including sluggish flowing canals. Survives dry
season by burrowing in bottom mud of lakes, canals and
swamps as long as skin and air-breathing apparatus remain
moist and subsists on the stored fat. Feeds on fish, frogs,
snakes, insects, earthworms, tadpoles and crustaceans).
Undertakes lateral migration from the Mekong mainstream, or
other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the
flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at
the onset of the dry season. During winter and dry season,
its flesh around coelomic cavity is heavily infested by a
larval trematode Isoparorchis hypselobargi. Other
parasites infecting this fish include Pallisentis
ophicephali in the intestine and Neocamallanus
ophicepahli in the pyloric caecae. Processed into pra-hoc,
mam-ruot, and mam-ca-loc (varieties of fish paste) in
Kampuchea. Perhaps the main food fish in Thailand, Indochina
and Malaysia. Firm white flesh almost bone-free, heavy dark
skin good for soup and usually sold separately. In Hawaiian
waters the largest specimen taken reportedly exceeded 150
cm. Very economic important on both cultures and captures
throughout southern and southeastern Asia. |
