The world's largest freshwater fish
The stingray was captured on June 13, local time, and its length from nose to tail was nearly 4 meters, weighing 660 pounds (nearly 300 kilograms), according to a statement released on June 20 by the "Mekong Wonders" organization, a joint effort between Cambodia and the United States. Scientists say this is the world's largest freshwater fish on record. The organization also said that the largest freshwater fish on record previously was a 646-pound (293 kg) Mekong giant catfish caught in Thailand in 2005.
After the stingray was reportedly caught by local fishermen, a team of scientists from the nearby "Mekong Wonders" organization was notified. The head of the organization said in an interview that the team was surprised to see such a large fish, adding that the capture of the stingray was not just a new record, but "a hopeful sign for the Mekong River that these fish are this big," given the many environmental challenges it is currently facing.
The fish, a female, has been electronically tagged and reintroduced into the river, where scientists will test its movement and behavior. According to the Mekong River Commission, the Mekong River has the third largest diverse fish population in the world, despite threats such as overfishing, pollution, saltwater intrusion and sediment depletion.
