Giant Salmon Carp

Well-developed adipose eye-lid, covering most of eye except pupil in large adults, less extensive in juveniles; presence of a large symphyseal knob in lower jaw fitting in a median notch in upper jaw (Ref. 43281).

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Inhabits mainstreams of middle reaches in deep rocky rapids. Juveniles occur in tributaries (Ref. 58784). A large fast-swimming predator, feeding on fish of the middle and the upper water levels. Although most common along the Thai-Lao border at the mouth of the Mun River, its numbers have drastically decreased in recent years. This is perhaps due to dam construction or excessive gill netting, to which active pursuit predators, like this species, are particularly vulnerable (Ref. 12693). Undertakes upstream migration at the same time as Probarbus sp. in December-February (Ref. 37770) which may be related to spawning activity (Ref. 9497). Attains over 30 kg (Ref. 9497).

The giant salmon carp (Aaptosyax grypus), also termed the Mekong giant salmon carp, is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae and the single species in the monotypic genus Aaptosyax. It is endemic to the middle reaches of the Mekong River in northern Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Its population is much reduced (>90%) as a result of overfishing and habitat degradation, and it is now considered Critically Endangered.

This fish can reach a length of 130 centimetres (51 in) and weight of 30 kilograms (66 lb).