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.
| IMAGE | FAMILY | ENG / THAI | MAX KG / HHFL MAX | HHFL NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Channidae 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. |
 | Channidae 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. |
 | Cichlidae 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. |
 | cichlidae 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. |
 | Batrachus | Batrachian 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Siluriformes 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. |
 | Characidae 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. |
 | Characidae 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. |
 | Dasyatidae 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. |
 | Eleotridae 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. |
 | Latidae 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. |
 | Lepisosteiformes 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. |
 | Mastacembelidae 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. |
 | Notoptoridae 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. |
 | Osphronemidae 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. |
 | Osphronemidae 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. |
 | Osphronemidae 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. |
 | Osphronemidae 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. |
 | Osteoglossidae 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. |
 | Osteoglossidae 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. |
 | Pangasiidae 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. |
 | Pangasiidae 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. |
 | Pimelodidae 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. |
 | Pimelodidae 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! |
 | Synbranchidae 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! |
 | Siluriformes 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. |
 | Cypriniformes 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. |
 | Siluriformes 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 |
 | Channidae 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 |
 | Cyprinidae 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. |
 | Pangasiidae 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. |
 | Siluriformes | Asian 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 |
 | Wallago | Wallago 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 |
 | Labeo 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 |