The Fish

AND HERE THEY ARE – from a few grams to over 60 kilograms…………………….

THE FOLLOWING 44 SPECIES ARE TO BE FOUND, HERE AT HUA HIN FISHING LODGE
AS OF 22 JANUARY 2015

All of the photographs of the fish below, were taken at the Lodge unless otherwise stated.

IMAGEFAMILYENG / THAIMAX KG /
HHFL MAX
HHFL NOTES
giantsnakeheadChannidae

channa
micropeltes
Giant Snakehead

Pla Shado
30

5
Native to Asia - Pakistan, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula. A notorious predator found in the lakes, dams and rivers here. Stocked at HHFL in limited numbers as a representative sample of this species. Be careful - this fish has very sharp teeth. Bottom pond only.
snakeheadmurrelChannidae

channa
striata
Snakehead Murrel

Pla Chon
3+

3.2
Native to Asia - Pakistan, Thailand and the Malay Peninsula. Another local predator but nowhere near as ferocious as the 'Giant Snakehead'. Tolerated here in low numbers, if caught, please advise our staff for disposal. This fish may be taken for eating. Found in both ponds.
reddevilCichlidae

amphliophus
labiatus
Red Devil

Pla Tubtim
2.5

2
Central America – Not native to Thailand, introduced and now very common in S.E. Asia. This fish breeds very well here and serves as natural food for the larger predators. Fairly easy to catch near the bank and can be good fun for the kids. Similar in every respect to the 'Pla Nin'. Be careful the dorsal fin can inflict a nasty cut or scratch. This fish can be taken and eaten (Up to two kg max). Found in both ponds.
niletilapiacichlidae

oriochromis
nioticus
niloticus
Nile Tilapia

Pla Nin
4.2

2.2
Africa, Israel, Niger, Benue, Volta and Gambia - now very common in S.E. Asia. This fish breeds very well here and serves as natural food for the larger predators. Fairly easy to catch near the bank and can be good fun for the kids. Similar in every respect to the 'Pla Tab Tim'
Be careful the dorsal fin can inflict a nasty cut or scratch. This fish can be taken and eaten (Up to two kg max). Found in both ponds.
walkingcatfishBatrachusBatrachian Walking Catfish

Pla Duk Dan
2+

2.2
This fish has often been seen early in the morning, walking from one pond to the other – especially in the rainy season. BE CAREFUL – The front pectoral fins have a rasping texture. This fish may be taken and cooked. Location – Both Ponds – larger specimens in Lower Pond.
tinfoilbarbCyprinidae

barbonymus
altus
Red Tailed Tin Foil Barb

Pla Kra Hea Thong
3

1
Mekong & Chao Phraya River Basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra & Borneo. We now have more than 200 of these beautiful fish stocked in our ponds. They make excellent sport for the kids. Location – Upper Pond only.
javabarbCyprinidae

barbonymus
gonionotus
Java Barb

Pla Tapien Kao
2.1

1.5
Mekong & Chao Phraya Basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra & Java. The recent additional stocking of this small species should see more of them being caught. Location – Upper Pond only.
tinfoilbarb2Cyprinidae

barbonymus
schwanenfeldii
Tin Foil Barb

Pla Tapien Hang Deng
2.5

1
Mekong & Chao Phraya Basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra & Borneo. Another Barb variety that is often confused with the Java Barb but is usually smaller. Location – Upper Pond only.
gscarp2Cyprinidae

catlocarpio
siamensis
Giant Siamese Carp

Pla Cohor
100

33
Maeklong, Mekong & Chao Phraya basins. They are tremendous fighters and once hooked will try to drag you to the bottom of the pond. These fish are unique to Thailand, extremely valuable and are one of our prize possessions. They are now becoming extremely rare in the wild. Location – Both Ponds – larger specimens in Lower Pond.
grasscarpCyprinidae

ctenophary-
ngodon idella
Grass Carp

Pla Chao Hea
45

7
Asia - China to eastern Siberia (Amur River system). Not native to Thailand. Only a few stocked after pond construction. A good fighting fish that is considered a pest when introduced to a fishery since they feed extensively on the submerged weed growth. We will keep them here in small numbers. Location – Upper Pond only.
takoktapienCyprinidae

cyclocheili-
tchthys
enoplus
Takok Tapien

Pla Ta Kok
25

6
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia & Malaysia. A strong fighting fish giving good sport when hooked. A carnivorous carp species. It can be quite vocal when landed, making a sound which gives rise to its Thai name. BE CAREFUL a very sharp barb, which can give a painful scratch or stab, tops the dorsal fin. Location – Both Ponds – larger specimens in Lower Pond.
loicarpCyprinidae

cyprinus
carpus
Koi Carp

Pla Carp
15

5
Worldwide. These fish were stocked in error. They are an ornamental variety of fish and as such, do not fare well when caught. We ask that you return them to the water immediately after capture to avoid undue suffering. Alternatively please call a member of our staff. Location – Upper Pond.
rohuCyprinidae

labeo
rohita
Rohu

Pla Yeesok Tad
45

8
Asia – Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh. Not native to Thailand. This fish when hooked near the surface will often leap high out of the water, and is often confused with Pl Ba (Mad Barb) which are also in the ponds. Location – Both Ponds.
madbarbCyprinidae

leptobarbus
hoevenii
Hoeven's Slender Carp / Mad Barb

Pla Ba
10

3
Thailand, Sumatra & Borneo. A shoal fish which can often be seen jumping out of the water. Often confused with the Rohu, also stocked in the ponds. In the wild it eats parenchyma and seeds of chaulmoogra tree falling into streams, becomes intoxicated, then starts jumping out of the water in a frenzied fashion – hence the name Mad Barb. Location - Upper Pond only.
jullienscarpCyprinidae

probarbus
julieni
Golden Price / Jullien’s Carp

Pla Yeesok Thai
70

11
Maeklong, Mekong & Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, Pahang & Perak basins of Malaysia but now almost extinct in the wild. Beautifully gold/silver coloured, with black horizontal stripes, reddish pink fins and bright red eyes – a truly stunning fish. Together with the Pla Cohor, these are amongst our most prized Thai fish. Location – Upper Pond only.
suckermouthSiluriformes

hypostomus
plecostomus
Suckermouth Catfish

Pla Joker
4

1
South America, Guiana coastal drainages– Not native to Thailand. An interesting small catfish that has the useful features of cleaning up everyone else’s mess! Originally imported for the aquarium trade, they will actually help keep their environment clean – also known locally as Pla Tessa Baan! Location – Both Ponds.
blackpacuCharacidae

piaractus
brachypomus
Black Pacu

Pla Jaramet Dam
40

12
South America, Amazon and Orinoco Basins – Not native to Thailand. A predatory fish that will eat almost anything! A direct relative of the Piranha. A good fighting fish, but due to its sharp teeth, will often take your hook. BE CAREFUL – This fish has very sharp teeth. Location – Both Ponds.
tambaquiCharacidae

colossama
macropomus
Tambaqui

Pla Jaramet Daeng
25

10
South America, Amazon and Orinoco Basins – Not native to Thailand. A predatory fish that will eat almost anything! A direct relative of the Piranha. A good fighting fish, but due to its sharp teeth, will often take your hook. BE CAREFUL – This fish has very sharp teeth. Location – Both Ponds.
stingrayDasyatidae

Himantura
chaophraya
Giant Freshwater Stingray

Pla Kabeng Nam Dju
100+

4
Mekong and Chaophraya basins. Another potential monster from the Mekong river. We have stocked one representative sample specimen. They are becomimg rare due to over fishing in the wild. WARNING BE VERY CAREFUL– As with its saltwater cousin, this fish has an extremely painful and venomous sting – please inform our staff if caught. Location – Lower Pond only.
gobyEleotridae

Oxyeleotris
marmorata
Marble Goby

Pla Boo
n/a

0.6
Mekong & Chao Phraya Basins, Malay Peninsula, Indochina, Philippines & Indonesia One of the original residents of the original pond – good fun to catch for the children. Location – Both Ponds.
baramundiLatidae

Lates
calcarifer
Barramundi

Pla Kapong Kao
45

6
Semi-tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. A freshwater adaptation of the White Snapper. A superb fighter on lures and known for its extreme acrobatics when hooked. CAUTION This fish has very sharp fins and can cause injury. Location – Lower Pond only.
aligar2Lepisosteiformes

atractosteus
spatula
Alligator Gar

Pla Jorakay
130+

35
Mississippi River basin, also the Gulf Coastal Plain, the Florida panhandle to Veracruz, Mexico - Not native to Thailand. An opportunistic predator and quite difficult to catch. This fish has the potential for enormous growth and is known as a strong fighting fish when mature. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL – this fish has very sharp teeth and can inflict a nasty bite. Location – Lower Pond.
spinyeelMastacembelidae

Mastocembelus
armatus
Armed Spiny Eel

Pla Gra Ting
0.5/

0.29
Asia – Pakistan to Vietnam & Indonesia these interesting eels were released into the top pond but none have ever been caught! Location – Upper Pond.
knifefishNotoptoridae

Chitala
chitala
Clown Knifefish

Pla Krai
5

2.9
Mekong and Chao Phraya Basins, Malay Peninsula, Indo China, Philippines & Indonesia. A predatory fish introduced to the aquarium trade - often with disastrous results! Location - Upper Pond.
gouramiOsphronemidae

Osphoremus
goramy
Giant Gourami

Pla Ret
4.5

3.4
Mekong basin, Sumatra, Borneo, Java & Malay Peninsula. Another fish from the aquarium, but they grow much bigger here. An interesting fish, with pelvic fin first ray, prolonged into a thread-like tentacle.
moongouramiOsphronemidae

Trichogaster
microlers
Moonlight Gourami

Pla Kra Di
n/a

0.2
Mekong & Chao Phraya Basins, Cambodia & Vietnam. A fish more suited to aquariums, but has appeared here naturally. Often seen in the local markets as a food source. Often seen but not yet caught on rod & line as too small. Location - both ponds.
snakegouramiOsphronemidae

Trichogaster
pectoralis
Snakeskin Gourami

Pla Salid
0.5

0.3
Mekong & Chao Phraya Basins, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. This fish can also breath air. Often found dried in the local market and is a valuable food source in Thai cuisine. Apperaed here naturally and not yet caught on rod & line as too small. Location - both ponds.
goldengouramiOsphronemidae

Trichogaster
trichopterus
Golden Gourami

Pla Ret Thong
1.5

1
Mekong and Chao Phraya Basins, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. More often seen in aquariums, however they can grow much larger when given the space A pretty fish that can get very aggressive if kept in tanks. Location - upper pond.
ARAWANAWEBOsteoglossidae

Osteoglossum
bicirrhosum
Arawana

Pla Tapat
8

4.3
Amazon Basin - not native to Thailand, often seen in aquariums and can be very expensive depending on colouring. The mouth position promotes surface feeding. They can also breathe air. Will often jump clear of the water to seize insects.
arapaima2Osteoglossidae

Arapaima gigas
Arapaima / Piraracu

Pla Chon Amazon
200

75
Amazon Basin - Not native to Thailand. Possibly the largest variety of freshwater fish in South America and one of the largest in the world. Often seen surfacing as it is an air breather and will surface every 10 - 20 minutes. Almost extinct in the Amazon due to over fishing and now breeding well here in Thailand. A voracious feeder when hungry and known for it's aggression when feeding.
A beautiful and exotic fish which must remain in the water if caught.
mekongcatfishPangasiidae

Pangasianodon
gigas
Giant Mekong Catfish

Pla Beuk
292

62
Thailand's native gentle giant. One of the largest freshwater fish in the world and now extremely rare in the wild. We have extensively stocked these fish for the future and have several specimens between 30 and 60 kg. Immensely powerful if hooked and often described as an 'underwater steam train.'- possibly more exercise than 10 rounds in a boxing ring.
A truly great fish and justifiably earning the respect of any angler.
Location - both ponds with largest specimens in lower pond.
stripedcatfrishPangasiidae

Pangasius
hypophthalmus
Sutchi / Striped Catfish

Pla Sawai
44

15
Mekong and Chao Phraya Basins. Often mistaken for the Giant Mekong Catfish, these smaller catfish are found in most Thai fisheries and give good sport when hooked. Capable of reaching 44kg, our specimens are between 1 and 15kg and are found in both ponds.
redtailcatfishPimelodidae

Phractosephalus hemioliopteros
Amazon Redtail Catfish

Pla Amazon Daeng
100

35
Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo Basins of S. America. Not natvie to Thailand but breeds well here. Stunning good looks, tremendous fighting and staying power coupled with the ability to tangle you and hence unhook itself - a fish that deserves it's reputation as a 'scrapper'. A great fish to catch.
tigercatfishPimelodidae

Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Tiger 'Shovel Nose' Catfish

Pla Sira
60

5
Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru - not native to Thailand. Similar in many respects to the Amazon Redtail for it's good looks and fighting ability.
Another Amazon stunner - mire suited to a catwalk than a fishing lake!
swampeelSynbranchidae

Monopterus
albus
Asian Swamp Eel

Pla Lai
3.5

2.5
39 of these eels were introduced to the lower pond soon after it's excavation as a representative sample of the local fish!
africancatfishSiluriformes

Clarias
gariepinus
North African Sharptooth Catfish

Pla Duk Lasia
60

12
Pan Africa, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon & Turkey. Not native to Thailand. Often seen in the ponds at temples here in Thailand, where, if pellet fed, can reach enormous sizes.
bleekerCypriniformes

Cyclocheilichthys
repasson
Bleeker

Pla Soi
1.2

0.7
Asia - Mekong and Chao Phrya basins, Malay Peninsular
Another fun fish for the kids - but not easy to catch. Location - both ponds.
yellowtailSiluriformes

Hemibagarus
nemuras
Asian Yellowtail Catfish

Pla Kot Luang
10

1
Cousin of the more common Asian Redtail Catfish, only smaller. Common to the Mekong and Chao Phrya basin and Malay peninsular
Location Top pond
cobrasnakeheadChannidae

Channa
marulius
Cobra Snakehead

Pla Chon Ngoo Aow
25

2
The bullseye, cobra or great snakehead (Channa marulius) is native to South Asia but has been introduced to the United States. C. marlius is commonly known as giant murrel. It is a faster growing fish than most of the other species of the genus. It is a carnivorous species. Location Bottom Pond
indiancohorCyprinidae

Actinopterygii
catla
Indian Cohor

Pla Cohor India
40+

5
Asia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal & Myanmar. An interesting carp species, very similar to the local Giant Siamese carp in nature but never reaching the same size. Location - Upper Pond.
chaoprayacatfishPangasiidae

Pangasius
sanitwongsei
Chao Phrya Catfish

Pla The Pha
200+

15
Great deepwater fighters - these fish will give you a great workout - similar to their cousins the Pla Beuk. Location - both ponds.
FISHFILESiluriformesAsian Redtail Catfish

Pla Kot Daeng
60

9
Chao Phrya Basin, Mekong, Malaysian Peninsula Borneo.
Very good fighting fish, eats fish, crab, prawn. Location, bottom pond
11753721_530097573814813_3343257160343424809_nWallagoWallago Attu

Pla Grao
50

4
Distant cousin of the European Wels Catfish - with the same attitude! The fish is commonly known by its genus name, wallago or 'lanchi'. It is found in large rivers and lakes in much of the Indian Subcontinent and in parts of Southeast Asia. The species can reach 2.4 m (8 feet) total length. It ranges mainly across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but is also found in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia, and is also reported from Afghanistan. Aggressive predator and will eat most things. Location, bottom Pond
webfishLabeo

Labeo Chrysophekadion
Black Shark (Black River Carp)

Pla Ka
7

4
Found in the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and Borneo. It can reach a length of 90 cm (3 ft). It is sometimes seen in the aquarium trade, but is generally unsuitable for home aquaria due to its large adult size and territorial, aggressive behavior. Location top pond
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