Shark catfish
| Shark catfish Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| Pangasius hypophthalmus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Suborder: | Siluroidei |
| Superfamily: | Arioidea |
| Family: | Pangasiidae Bleeker, 1858 |
| Genera | |
|
†Cetopangasius | |
The shark catfishes form the family Pangasiidae. They are found in fresh and brackish waters across southern Asia, from Pakistan to Borneo. Among the 30-odd members of this family is the plant-eating, endangered Mekong giant catfish Pangasianodon gigas, one of the largest known freshwater fish. Several species are aquacultured for food, with Vietnam's Mekong Delta being a prominent locale for the industry.