Largest freshwater fish – 330 kilogram stingray from Cambodia
Record-Breaking Behemoth: 330kg Stingray Netted in Cambodia is World’s Largest Freshwater Fish
In the murky, life-giving waters of Cambodia’s Mekong River, a local fisherman has made the catch of a lifetime, landing a behemoth that has officially been crowned the largest freshwater fish ever recorded. The creature, a female giant freshwater stingray, tipped the scales at a staggering 330 kilograms (727 pounds) and measured nearly four meters (13 feet) from its snout to the tip of its tail.
The monumental discovery was made on the island of Koh Preah in the Stung Treng province of northern Cambodia. The fisherman, Moul Thun, 42, hooked the monstrous ray and, realizing he had caught something far beyond ordinary, immediately contacted scientists from the “Wonders of the Mekong” project, a joint US-Cambodian research initiative.
A team of international experts and Cambodian fisheries officials rushed to the remote location. What they found was a healthy, magnificent specimen of a species that is not only rare but also poorly understood. The delicate operation that followed was a testament to modern conservation efforts. The team worked quickly to weigh and measure the ray, implanting a small acoustic tag near its tail before releasing it back into the wild.
The giant ray was affectionately nicknamed “Boramy,” which means “full moon” in the local Khmer language, a nod to its colossal, disc-like shape and its release during the waxing moon.
“This is a very exciting discovery,” said biologist Zeb Hogan, a fish expert at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the host of National Geographic’s “Monster Fish” series who leads the Wonders of the Mekong project. “The fact that fish can still get this big is a hopeful sign for the Mekong River, despite all the challenges it faces.”
The discovery of Boramy shatters the previous record held by a 293-kilogram (646-pound) Mekong giant catfish that was caught in Thailand in 2005. The finding is significant for several reasons:
- A Sign of Hope: The Mekong River, a vital artery for Southeast Asia, is under immense pressure from hydropower dams, pollution, and overfishing. The existence of such a massive, and likely old, fish suggests that the river’s deep pools and remote stretches still provide a sanctuary for these elusive giants. It proves that despite environmental threats, the river’s ecosystem still has the potential for life on a grand scale.
- Crucial Scientific Data: The acoustic tag implanted in Boramy will provide unprecedented data. For the next year, it will transmit tracking information, allowing scientists to learn about the stingray’s migration patterns, behavior, and preferred habitats. Understanding where these creatures live, mate, and feed is critical to designing effective conservation strategies to protect them.
- Community-Led Conservation: This record would not have been possible without the cooperation of the local fisherman. Instead of selling the valuable catch, he chose to engage with conservationists. The Wonders of the Mekong project compensated him at market rate, highlighting a successful model where local communities are incentivized to participate in the protection of their natural heritage.
Giant freshwater stingrays (Urogymnus polylepis) are one of the largest and least-studied freshwater fish in the world. They are an endangered species, and information about their populations and life cycle has been scarce. Their habitat stretches across Southeast Asia, but encounters, especially with individuals of this size, are exceptionally rare.
The story of Boramy is more than just a new entry in the record books. It is a potent reminder of the hidden wonders our planet’s rivers still hold and the vital importance of collaborative efforts to study and protect them. As Boramy swims freely once more in the Mekong, she carries with her the hopes of scientists and conservationists for the future of one of the world’s most important, and most threatened, waterways.
