Wallago micropogon Ng, 2004
photo by Panitvong, N.

Family:  Siluridae (Sheatfishes)
Max. size:  154 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 96 kg
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong River drainage between Dau Tieng in southern Viet Nam and Luang Prabang in northern Laos; also middle Chao Phraya River drainage in Thailand. Previously misidentified as Wallago leerii from the Mekong River.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal soft rays: 68-73; Vertebrae: 63-65. Distinguished by the following characters: 14-16 branchiostegal rays; 14-16 gill rakers on first branchial arch; 68-73 anal fin rays; small gape extending to anterior margin of eye; pelvic fin length 8.9-10.6% SL; small eye, 8.7-10.1% HL; maxillary barbels reaching to middle of pectoral-fin base; rounded pectoral fin in which the fourth branched pectoral ray is the longest; pectoral spine length 14.3-16.7% SL; dark colored body with a few pale spots forming a mottled pattern; and 63-65 vertebrae (Ref. 51260).
Biology:  Adults feed strictly on fishes. Enters the flooded forest during high water and stays near the edge of the forest during low water (Ref. 9497). Migrates into smaller streams to spawn (Ref. 37770). Oviparous, distinct pairing possibly like other members of the same family (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 February 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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