How to Identify Pangas

To identify Pangas (Pangasius hypophthalmus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

torpedo

Coloration

Adults are typically uniformly grey to silvery-grey on the dorsal and lateral surfaces, fading to whitish on the ventral side. Juveniles often exhibit a more pronounced iridescent sheen and may have two dark stripes along the lateral line and a dark stripe along the anal fin.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Absence of scales (naked skin), Two pairs of barbels (one maxillary, one mandibular), though mandibular barbels may be reduced or absent in adults, Deeply forked caudal fin, Relatively small eyes, Large, terminal mouth

Dorsal fin

One short, high dorsal fin with 1-2 spines and 6-7 soft rays, followed by a small adipose fin (often absent in adults).

Tail fin

Deeply forked, homocercal caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Large, triangular pectoral fins with a strong, serrated spine.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin is long, extending from behind the anus to the caudal peduncle, with 26-32 soft rays. Pelvic fins are small.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape

   Look for the torpedo-shaped, elongated body, characteristic of fast-swimming fish.

2. 2

   Coloration

   Observe the silvery-grey body, often with an iridescent sheen, especially in younger specimens. Adults tend to be more uniformly grey.

3. 3

   Fins

   Note the deeply forked caudal fin and the long anal fin. The presence of a strong, serrated spine in the pectoral fins is also a key identifier.

4. 4

   Barbels

   Check for two pairs of barbels around the mouth, though the lower pair may be reduced in adults.

5. 5

   Scales

   The skin is smooth and scaleless, a definitive characteristic of this species.

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