Flyfishing Thailand - Fish Species | Fly Fishing Thailand

Arowana

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:16:02 +0700

Arowanas, also known as aruanas or arawanas are freshwater boneyfish of the family Osteoglossidae, sometimes known as "bony tongues." In this family of fishes, the head is bony and the elongate body is covered by large, heavy scales, with a mosaic pattern of canals. The dorsal and the anal fins have soft rays and are long based, while the pectoral and ventral fins are small. The name 'bony tongues' is derived from a toothed bone on the floor of the mouth, the 'tongue', equipped with teeth that bite against teeth on the roof of the mouth. The fish can obtain oxygen from air by sucking it into the swim bladder, which is lined with capillaries like lung tissue.

Arowana Diet

Fish and fry, small mammals, large insects and birds.

Arowana Identification
Large scales, big eyes and an upward angled mouth with two forked barbels. Dorsal and anal fins are well behind the pectoral fins and extend almost to the tail.

Arowana Typical Location

Shallow and calm water, surface orientated. Active during the day patrolling close to the surface. Often adjacent to shores.

Arowana Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

Osteoglossids are carnivorous often being specialised surface feeders. They are excellent jumpers; it has been reported that Osteoglossum species have been seen leaping more than 6 feet (almost 2 metres) from the water surface to pick off insects and birds from overhanging branches in South America, hence the nickname "water monkeys". Arowanas have been rumoured to capture prey as large as low flying bats and small birds. Arowana typically grow around 3 to 4 feet, but this is only accountable in captivity.

Several species of osteoglossid exhibit extensive parental care. They build nests and protect the young after they hatch. Some species are mouth brooders, the parents holding sometimes hundreds of eggs in their mouths. The young may make several tentative trips outside the parent's mouth to investigate the surroundings before leaving permanently.

For the Chinese and those of related cultures, the dragon is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. In the eyes of the Chinese, the dragon fish has the appearance and majesty of the Chinese Dragon, especially the large scales and barbels.

Arowanas are also used for feng shui to bring good luck and wealth

Nile Perch

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:01:50 +0700

The Nile Perch (Lates nilocticus) is a freshwater fish species in the Percoidei family of order Perciformes (perch-likes). The Nile Perch is native to Africa and occur naturally throughout the Ethiopian region of Africa, in Lakes Albert, Turkana and Rudolph, in the brackish waters of lakes such as Lake Mariout and also occur commonly in all major river basins including the Nile, Chad, Senegal, Volta and Zaire.

The Nile Perch is introduced only to our private lake in Pathum Thani. Nile Perch flyfishing in Thailand is unique to Fly Fish Thailand.

Nile Perch Diet

Adult Nile perch feed on fish, larger crustaceans and insects. Juveniles of the species are herbivorous. Nile perch are also nocturnal feeders as is shown by their eyes and it is always worth fly fishing on well into darkness.

Nile Perch Identification

Nile perch are silver in colour with a blue tinge. They have a distinctive dark black eye, with a bright yellow outer ring. They are similar to barramundi, however Nile perch are capable of breeding in freshwater, whereas barramundi require seawater to breed. They have very large tail, the first dorsal is spine. One of the distinguishing things about Nile Perch is the size of their extending mouth. They in fact can catch prey at least three quarters their own size.

Age and Growth

Nile perch can live for up to 16 years and are sexually mature at 3 years of age. All Nile perch are born males and at 3 years of age turn into females. Perch move into shallow calmer areas to breed and large females can often be seen surrounded by groups of small males. Breading for the males is a dangerous time as the larger females are more likely to eat their smaller partners than mate with them.

Nile Perch Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All year

Fly Fishing is becoming more popular for Nile Perch. For tackle you will need: Fly Rods - For Nile Perch 9 ft 9 to 11 weight. Saltwater fly rods have a better action and are stronger . Fly reels need to be able to hold a full spool of your chosen line weight and lots and lots of strong backing in the 30lb class. Flies are any tarpon, sailfish and marlin flies will work well as long as they are tied to strong hooks. Remember these fish are renowned for straighten hooks. Best colours are reds, whites, silver and blue.

The Nile Perch have adopted the same area of the lake as also preferred by the Peacock Bass. Recently, a Nile Perch was following a retrieved fly and a Peacock Bass snatched the fly away at the last moment.

Catch both a Barramundi and Nile Perch - which is the stronger fighter ?

BEWARE: Nile Perch have small sharp spines everywhere. We recommend custom fish handling gloves when holding them.

Barramundi

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:38:14 +0700

The Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a freshwater fish species in the snooks family (family Centropomidae) of order Perciformes (perch-likes). The Barramundi is native to the Indo-West Pacific regions which includes Thailand.

Barramundi Diet

The adult Barramundi is a predatory fish striking predominately at small fish. At early stages of life the Barramundi would feed primarily on insects, weeds & algae.

Barramundi Identification

The Barramundi has a silver or grey body with dark brown or black tail fin rays. The body shape is elongated and slightly oblique and the upper jaw extends behind the eye.

Barramundi Fly Fishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All year

Often known for its spectacular violent head shaking leaps from the water during a fight, the Barramundi justifiably commands respect from those who seek it out. Surprisingly, this, the gamest of all game fish is relatively unknown to many fly fishermen. Pound for pound the Barramundi will outrun, outstrip and outfight any salmonoid. After landing his first ever Barramundi, Dave Williams remarked “ this fish does not know when to give up !”

Barramundi Lates calcarifer is a catadromous species; it grows to maturity in the upper reaches of freshwater rivers and descends downstream to estuaries and coastal waters for spawning. They are also protoandrous hermaphrodites: they start life as males, reaching maturity at 3 to 4 years old and later change gender to become females, usually at around 5 years old.

Barramundi are usually a pale blue to grey-green colour with a coppery shimmer, silvery on the sides and white below. It has a pointed head, concave forehead a large jaw extending behind the eye and a rounded caudal fin. It has a first dorsal fin with seven or eight strong spines and a second soft-rayed dorsal fin with ten or eleven rays. They can grow to a maximum length of 2 m (6 ft 7 in), weighing in up to 60 K (130 lbs). Specimens weighing around 8 - 15 lbs are more commonly caught in Thailand. Although larger fish are both seen and caught.

The females produce large numbers of small, non-adhesive, pelagic eggs between 0.6 mm and 0.9 mm in diameter (one 22 Kg female was recorded as having 17 million eggs) The eggs appear pinkish when water hardened. The eggs hatch within 15 - 20 hours at which time the larvae are are around 1.5 mm in length and the mouth and eyes are well developed, although the yolk sac is large. At 2.5 mm the mouth is large and open, the yolk sac is greatly reduced and the pectoral fins are beginning to develop. Above this size the larvae begin to exhibit the the characteristic colouration of juveniles of this species - overall brown mottled markings with a white stripe running lengthwise along the head. At 3.5 mm the yolk sac is all but gone, fin rays are beginning to appear and the teeth are well developed. By the fifth day the yolk sac has been completely absorbed and by 8.5 mm the fins are fully developed.

Growth rate is variable but generally rapid. Typical overall lengths at the end of each year are -

Year Length Range (mm)

1 310 - 330

2 430 - 500

3 529 - 610

4 610 - 690

5 730 - 770

6 810 +

The name Barramundi is a loanword from a Queensland Aboriginal language of the Rockhampton area meaning “large scales” or “large scaly river fish”. However, for marketing reasons the name was appropriated during the 1980s, a decision which has raised the profile of this sporting fish. Barramundi are also known as Asian seabass, giant perch, giant sea perch, white seabass, Siakap in Malay & Pla Kapong in Thai.

In Thailand, Barramundi are found only in the Chachoengsao district adjacent to the Bang Plakon river. Dry season saline intrusion into this low gradient river has saturated the surrounding low laying land with salt for centuries. Aided by a network of irrigation canals, there is a profusion of brackish water lakes and ponds which are ideal homes for Barramundi. The fish caught are an average of 10 lbs with specimens reaching 15 lbs plus. There are currently 3 IGFA Barramundi world records from this area.

The Thailand Barramundi is the most obliging of gamefish. It is an ambushing, opportunist feeder during night and daylight hours. It will also take a fly out of aggression, curiosity and territorial defence instincts. Its diet includes baitfish, crayfish, crab and its younger, smaller siblings. Its usual method of feeding is to suck the prey into its large mouth, then expel the excess water through its gills. Generally, Thai Barramundi commence daylight feeding during late morning, around 11 am. As the day progresses, so their feeding becomes more intense. At the same time their metabolism increases, so as the day progresses, the fish becomes stronger and a fiercer fight ensues. Also, rather strangely, the brighter and more intense the sunlight - the better the fishing !

Nearly every guest who booked one Barramundi fly fishing day has asked to book additional fishing day before leaving Thailand !

Barred Sorubim

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:31:05 +0700

Diet

Nocturnal Piscavore

Identification
Sandy to grey upper body and white belly. Black tiger–like markings and bars on the upper two thirds of the body. All fins yellow to red with black spots. Long and flat head with small eyes and a wide mouth with long whiskers.

Typical Location
Prefer darkness and shaded areas during the day. Occasionally enters shallow waters / margins at night to hunt for food.

Barred Sorubim Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

Present the fly close to the margins, tight to water hyacinth beds, lily pads or other plant life. The best times to target Sorubim is the first two hours of darkness. Takes are savage and fast, these beautifully marked fish fight hard and deep making repeated long hard runs. They expend all their energy during the fight. They do not posses teeth like most catfish but have tough pads in their mouths.

Tiger catfish are also known as Shovel nosed tiger catfish and Striped / Barred Sorubim. The Tiger catfish has a depressed head that is three times longer than it is wide. They are characterised by a shovel like projecting jaw with an exposed brush like patch of teeth. The eyes of the Tiger catfish are set to enable them to see up and down, coupled with extremely long whiskers they are adept at hunting food items in all conditions. Their body is silver with vivid black stripes. They change shades of colour to match their environment. They also have a characteristic black lateral stripe variable in width that reaches from their snout the entire length of there body, no other member of the catfish family posses this feature. They have distinct speckled fins which together with their stripes make perfect camouflage for hiding in weed beds to ambush passing prey.

The Tiger catfish originates from the Americas were they are distributed in 10 countries between the Amazon, Orinoco, and Parana and Paraiba river basins. These catfish do not breed in still water as they need a sandy bottom in moving water to build a nest and protect there young. Their spawning periods are regulated by non flood conditions rather than particular times of the year.

Striped Peacock Bass

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:22:20 +0700

The adult Striped Peacock Bass is a predatory fish striking predominately at small fish.

Striped Peacock Bass Identification

Although there are countless colour variations throughout their range, there are only four currently recognised species of peacock bass, C. temensis, C. ocellaris, C. monoculus and C. nigrolineatus. All species are commonly called tucunaré in Brazil and Peru, while other Spanish speaking South American countries use the term pavón. C.ocellaris is now introduced in Thailand.

Although comprising widely differing species, cichlids share several unique physical characteristics. All have only one nostril on each side of the head, not two as in other fish and they have both a spiny, and a soft, dorsal and anal fin. Body coloration and markings vary greatly. Three vertical black bars are usually visible (intensity varies from fish to fish) beginning just behind the pectoral fin and ending underneath the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Often, the previously mentioned lateral white / black spots are present, running along the top third of the fish's body. On rare occasions, there are neither black bars nor horizontal stripes/spots, however, the mottled patch directly behind the eye remains a distinct identifying characteristic. This species is found throughout the Brazilian, Venezuelan and Colombian Amazon. The largest specimens are caught in the Rio Negro tributaries of Brazil and Venezuela.

A black circular "eye spot" - dramatically rimmed in a fluorescent gold - on the base of the tail fin is a common characteristic shared by all the many subspecies of peacock bass. It is said that this "eye spot" resembles that found on the tail plume of the peacock fowl and perhaps this is the reason that South American anglers called the fish pavon or peacock.

Actively breeding larger male peacock bass possess a prominent hump on their head, its purpose the source of much speculation, including: a natural weapon used as a battering ram when engaged in battle with other males and to protect fry and territory, a fat deposit that the male uses to nourish himself when guarding fry and not actively feeding or a hormonal induced structure that might make him more appealing to the females of the species.

Striped Peacock Bass Flyfishing in Thailand
Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

Of all the incredible fly fishing gamefish introduced into Thailand from the Amazon basin, the one that has received the least fly fishing attention is the Striped Peacock Bass.

Their remarkable, explosive topwater strike, combined with an astonishing ability to break heavy lines/leaders and straighten even stout saltwater hooks, makes them one of the most sought after fly fishing species in the Amazon basin and now in Thailand.

Striped Peacock Bass are not a true bass such as the largemouth and smallmouth bass (Micopterus Sp.) found in North American waters, but comprise a genus within the family Cichlidae. Cichlids are a diverse family of tropical fish found primarily throughout Africa, South America and southern Asia.

Striped Peacock Bass exhibit some of the most complex and highly evolved behaviour patterns of all fish. Because of the family's diversity, it is difficult to ascribe characteristics to all members of the group. However, many generalities effectively apply to the majority of species. Cichlids are among the intellectuals of fish. They are highly intelligent and it has been shown by scientists that cichlids can learn from experiences.

Cichlids are generally very aggressive and pugnacious. They are often extremely territorial. One generalisation that can be made about cichlids is that they are all substrate spawners. Some species may guard eggs or young in their mouths at some time during the brooding cycle. In clear water, one often sees tightly-packed clouds of peacock fry swarming about the head of their protective father. If a male is caught post-spawn, the growth on the head is often rubbed raw, as if the young have been nipping away at the swollen nodule.

Peacock bass are mouth brooders, meaning that parents typically guard the fry immediately upon their birth and stay with them for a period of time until they can fend for themselves.

Fly fishing for peacock bass is not a delicate or finesse affair. Long, accurate casts are often important when fly fishing for peacock bass. Even more important is the retrieve, it must be extremely aggressive. The strips should be long and fast with a short pause between each. This style of fly fishing can be hard work, but the reward is incredible. The first time you have a peacock bass "blow up" on your fly, inhale it and then pull line and backing from your reel like an express train, you'll understand why so many fly fishers have become obsessed with this fish.

Similar to the Snakehead “luk krok” a rippling, or what may be referred to as "bubbles" or "bambinos", may sometimes be seen on the surface. This rippling seen on the surface is actually a school of fry, typically with the protective parents below ready to pounce on anything that threatens them.

Generally speaking, the size of the fry school is a good indicator of the size of the parents below. Cast a popper approximately five feet beyond the fry dimples and then work the popper right through them. A violent strike will typically be elicited. In many cases, one angler can catch the male, while the second catches the female.

Java Barb

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:13:57 +0700

The Java Barb is a native of Asia. Specifically the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins throughout Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Java.

Java Barb Diet

Plant matter, shrimp and invertebrates

Java Barb Identification

Complete body silvery with a golden or brown tint. Grey-yellow dorsal and caudal fins, and light orange anal and pelvic fins. A deep and robust body with a small head and a pointed snout.

Java Barb, taken from our Pathum Thani private lake April 28 2008. Weighed on IGFA Certified scales at 5lbs - breaking the IGFA all tackle 2003 record of 4lb 10oz. Caught on a White Floating Zonker.

Java Barb Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All year

A migratory fish but not considered to be a long-distance migrant. Regarded as local migrant which moves from the Mekong up into small streams and canals and onto flooded areas during the rainy season and back again during receding water. Some reports indicated that upstream migration of this fish is triggered by the first rains and rising water levels. When it finds a tributary, canal or stream it moves upstream and eventually onto flooded areas. When water recedes, it migrates back into canals and streams and into the Mekong again. Useful in cropping excessive vegetation in reservoirs.

Provides exciting fly fishing on light tackle.

Nile Tilapia

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:59:18 +0700

The Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a freshwater fish species in the Cichlids family (family Cichlidae) of order Perciformes (perch-likes). The Tilapia is native to Africa.

Nile Tilapia Diet

The Nile tilapia is omnivorous, eating insects, crustaceans, algae, detritus and fry.

Nile Tilapia Identification

The most obvious characteristics of the Nile tilapia are the presence of regular dark vertical stripes throughout the depth of its dark green body. The long sharp spines of the dorsal fin raise high above its back as a defence against predators.

Nile Tilapia Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing season: All year

Tilapia, a fish originally from Africa and the Middle East, has been around for centuries. Some even call it St. Peter's fish, believing it's the fish the apostles used to feed the multitudes.

The Nile Tilapia is an ideal fly fishing target species. It eagerly takes the fly and is a determined fighter. A 6 weight fly rod is ideal for this fish.

Pacu Pirapitinga

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:53:23 +0700

Pacu Pirapitinga Diet

The natural diet of the pacu is terrestrial plants, fruits, insects, crustaceans & seeds. In captivity where the natural food source may be diminished the pacu will predate on small dead fish. Introduced to Thailand.

Pacu Pirapitinga Identification

The Pacu has powerful, human like teeth that are used to crush its food and can cause serious bites. Similar in shape to a bream but with a head similar to a piranha, this fish is claimed to be a herbivore but in Thailand is omniverous. The body colour of this particular specie is dark brown to black.

Telling them apart

Tambaqui are often confused with Pirapitinga. Pirapitinga are more deeply rhomboidal than their evenly oval cousins, the Tambaqui. Their colouring of the Pirapitinga is more muted, typically a light blue-gray to steely gray above and a darker gray to brownish gray below. Whereas the Tambaqui have a golden to olive green back and an inky purple to black ventral area. The pirapitinga's dentiton is different as well, sporting a second row of molars in the upper jaw as opposed to the tambaqui's single row.

Pacu Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

Pacu are a tremendous fly fishing target fish. The pacu is often called a vegetarian piranha although they prefer fruit, nuts and vegetables they will eat almost any thing as they are opportunist feeders. They never eat living fish but will sometimes take fish chunks. They have teeth like a human which are blunt, they use them in the wild to crush hard nuts. When hooked the pacu will go on short sharp runs constantly changing direction and spinning in circles, once they spot the landing net they will dive and turn using their body mass to shed the hook. Most pacu are lost at the net.

Pacu are a narrow plate shaped fish with a small mouth with an impressive array of teeth. The black Pacu has a dark black upper body and back with a dull silver belly. Their grey fins are tipped with black. Their native habitats are rivers and river or stream fed lakes. Their favoured locations are under trees and weed beds, seeking out shade and cover. They feed on falling nuts and fruit. The Pacu will only spawn in running water over gravel runs.

The Brazilian government set up a breeding programme a few years ago and released many red Pacu into the wild as a food source. The Red Pacu have since taken over the Black Pacu's habitat to such an extent that the black Pacu is now very rare in the wild.

Tambaqui

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:53:23 +0700

Tambaqui Diet

The natural diet of the Tambaqui is terrestrial plants, fruits, insects, snails, crustaceans & seeds. In captivity where the natural food source may be diminished the Tambaqui will predate on small live or dead fish. Introduced to Thailand.

Tambaqui Identification

Members of the sub-family Colossoma of the Characidae, tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) are oval-shaped, physically built like a stocky permit or jack. They have a golden to olive green back and an inky purple to black ventral area. An omnivorous characid relative of the piranha, tambaqui have dazzling teeth that look eerily like a set of human dentures. These fish have amazing jaw strength as they often feed on rock hard jungle seeds. They can crush a 4/0 saltwater hook as if it were made of baling wire.

Telling Tambaqui and Pacu Pirapitinga apart

Tambaqui are often confused with Pirapitinga. Pirapitinga are more deeply rhomboidal than their evenly oval cousins, the Tambaqui. Their colouring of the Pirapitinga is more muted, typically a light blue-grey to steely grey above and a darker grey to brownish grey below. Whereas the Tambaqui have a golden to olive green back and an inky purple to black ventral area. The Pirapitinga's dentition is different as well, sporting a second row of molars in the upper jaw as opposed to the Tambaqui's single row.

Tambaqui Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

The Tambaqui is native to South America, inhabiting the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They are a solitary fish, the adults stay in the flooded forests during the rainy season, feeding on nuts fruit and grains along with insects snails and decaying plants. The fry live in flood plain backwaters feeding on zoo plankton until they reach maturity. The tambaqui is the largest member of the characin family which includes pacu and piranha. The Tambaqui is the world's second largest freshwater scaled fish after the Arapaima.

Tambaqui are similar in shape and looks to the piranha. They are a laterally compressed fish, plate like in shape with large eyes and a slightly arched back. There upper back is a mottled green with lower flanks in black leading to a grey belly. They have very small pectoral fins plus an adipose fin as in the trout and salmon family. In the wild they live in rivers also river or stream fed lakes; they live under trees and weed beds seeking out shade and cover.

Tambaqui can get huge. Specimens of 3 feet in length and weighing in at over 70 pounds are not exceptional. Unfortunately for the sport fisherman, these highly prized (and pricey) food fish are heavily harvested by commercial fishermen in their native environment, especially during their spawning migrations when they are at their most vulnerable. There is a greater chance of catching a Tambaqui in Thailand than in it's native waters.

The tambaqui is superb fly fishing quarry. Presenting poppers and hopper patterns on floating lines often entices a take. When the Tambaqui strikes a surface lure do not tighten immediately but wait until you feel the weight of the fish or you will miss the fish. It is important to allow the fly to get past their teeth before tightening onto the fish. Tambaqui fight as if they are burrowing into the ground; they point their heads down and keep diving, constantly changing direction during the fight. When they approach the net they use there body mass to turn in hard circles, they will often shed the hook at the net, this is when most tambaqui are lost.

Alligator Gar

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:44:52 +0700

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a freshwater fish species in the Gars family (family Lepisosteidae) of order Lepisosteiformes (gars), native to North America and introduced to Thailand.

Alligator Gar Diet

Fish, squid & frogs

Alligator Gar Identification

A long cylindrical body covered with armour–like scales. Upper body dark brown to olive. Sides and belly white to yellow. Dorsal and anal fin placed well back on the body. Rounded tail and fins with dark brown blotches. Long snout with two rows of large teeth in the upper jaw.

Alligator Gar Typical Location
Floating like driftwood in shallow and sluggish waters of rivers, swamps and lakes.

Alligator Gar Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

Alligator Gar feed in all areas of water and tend to shoal together. Look for them breaking the surface to gulp air. They like to flip over on the surface making a very distinct splash. A good time to fly fish for Alligator Gar is the first hour of darkness. Cast the fly were there are light reflections on the surface. The light fascinates them to an almost fatal attraction.

The Alligator Gar is an exclusive fish feeder. Their huge array of teeth combined with a boney jaw causes problems setting the hook when striking. A ratio of one in ten fish landed for each take is an average success rate. Prepare for some spectacular jumps once hooked again as with Arapaima lower your rod tip before they jump as they will shake there head and shed the hook. Alligator gar will often jump from the landing net. Use gloves when handling the Alligator Gar; they are very slippery and lively. They don’t bite but they struggle with their mouths open and will slash at your arms and hands.

The top jaw teeth are double rowed and their teeth face backwards to prevent prey from escaping.

The Alligator Gar can breath air and can survive for up to two hours out of water. Their scales are diamond-shaped interlocking and are sometimes used by Native Americans for jewellery.

In it’s native habitat the Alligator Gar is an aggressive solitary fish. It is carnivorous and has been rumoured to have attacked humans. Alligator Gar feed by hiding amongst reeds and other underwater weed, waiting for prey to pass by. An Alligator Gar was witnessed in the wild attacking a five foot alligator before devouring it. Though subsisting mostly on fish, the alligator gar will also eat waterfowl. The Alligator gar prefers slow-moving water yet need running water to spawn. Spawning occurs in May-August, when the fish deposit their eggs in shallow water. The female swims up stream laying eggs with an escort of 2 or more males to fertilize them. The eggs are toxic to warm blooded animals and birds. The females are much larger than the males. This behaviour make the Alligator Gar similar as the European Pike.

Alligator Gar grow slowly and take a long time to mature. Females mature at 11 years old and live up to 50 years. Males mature at 6 years old and live to at least 26 years.

Arapaima

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:10:15 +0700

The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is a freshwater fish species in the bonytongues family (family Arapaimidae) of order Osteoglossiformes (bony tongues), native to South America. Introduced to Thailand and now beginning to naturally colonise waterways.

Arapaima Diet

Fish and fry, small mammals and birds.

Arapaima Identification
Forward part of upper body with large olive green scales. Near the tail, the scales have a reddish tint with a bright red edge. Very wide back and a sloping flat head with a overshot lower jaw. Long and low dorsal and anal fins, near the tail.

Arapaima Typical Location
Drifting near the surface in calm water. Resting on sandy bottom with submerged plants. A slow moving midwater fish that surfaces every 10 to 20 minutes to breathe air.

Arapaima Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

Can be prospected for and carefully stalked. Rises to the surface to gulp air, giving away it’s position in the water. Sight casting at our premier lake in Pathum Thani.

The Arapaima is a fascinating fly fishing target fish and a worthy quarry.

Arapaima are the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world. Their natural habitat is the river Amazon. They are known to reach lengths in excess of 5 metres and weigh around 400 kgs. As a result of over fishing and habitat destruction very few fish this size exist in the wild today.

Arapaima were introduced to Thailand 30 years ago via the aquarium trade. Their rapid growth rate made tanks obsolete, consequently they were stocked in ponds. They thrive in this environment and are now stocked as game fish.

Arapaima have evolved and adapted to a somewhat hostile environment. When the rains come and the rivers rise, they go in search of food in the flooded jungle. As flood waters recede they become trapped in flood ponds. As oxygen depletes other fish die, however Arapaima evolved to become an air breather allowing them to feast on the dead and dying fish and live in poor quality water until the next floods come.

In their natural environment Arapaima spawn during February to April. They scoop out a nest in sandy bottoms of approximately 15 cm deep in preferred depths up to 2 metres. The female Arapaima is sexually mature at the age of five years old and are typically 160 cm in length at this time. The female lays thousands of eggs and guard their nests and young. The female grows white tubercles from which the young feed. She stays within 300 cm of the lake surface as the young must breath air every 60 seconds. Parental care of their young includes aerating the water, a necessity for the survival of the young in some oxygen-deficient waters. Adults exude a pheromone from their head to attract their young and keep them in close proximity. At 3 months the parents will eat some of their young to control over crowding. In Thailand Arapaima spawn in October.

Arapaima are one of the few fish that can swim backwards !

Arapaima mate for life and build a “house” on the bed of the river or lake, to which they return at night. In larger waters Arapaima hunt in packs. The hunting pack of Arapaima surround the prey fish and condense them into a tight ball by circling and trashing their tails on the water. When the prey ball is tight enough the Arapaima attack in an awe inspiring display of speed and aggression.

Amazon Red Tail Catfish

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:52:24 +0700

The Amazon Redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is a freshwater fish species in the long-whiskered catfish family (family Pimelodidae) of order Siluriformes (catfish), native to South America – within the Amazon River basin. Introduced to Thailand.

Amazon Redtail Catfish Diet

The Redtail Catfish predates on small fish and fry.

Amazon Redtail Catfish Identification

Brown back with black spots, white sides and belly.Large red tail and red edge on the black dorsal fin.Flat and wide head with long whiskers. The male Red Tails have a deeper red tail than the females.

Amazon Red Tail Catfish Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All Year

The Amazon Red Tail Catfish will take flies fished in open water. Best fly fishing times are early morning and late evening when this catfish patrols the margins in search of small fish and fry. The red tail catfish can be sight casted to as it’s tail breaks the surface when feeding in the margins. However, a violent eruption of water shows where the amazon redtail catfish is hunting.

Red Tail Catfish hunt the margins during the first 2 hours of daylight and darkness when they will take flies within 2 meters of the bank. They are ferocious feeders and scavengers, they eat almost anything. They tend to go on feeding rampages and it appears as if the lake is full of Red Tails. Suddenly they come off the feed and the lake appears empty.

Red Tail Catfish shed their skins, when they shed their skins they stop feeding. They grunt when taken out of the water and have very sharp points on there pectoral fins which should be avoided when handling these fish. The skin of the Amazon Red Tail Catfish is surprisingly dry to the touch and not slippery or slimy.

Red Tail Catfish originate from Brazil, Rio Negro, Venezuela and Surinam. In their natural environment they are solitary hunters, travelling the murky waters of there native rivers. It is believed that Red Tail Catfish are unable to use visual clues to track their prey. They follow chemical trails left by other fish and they use electrical field sensors to detect their prey. These are called chemoreceptors which abound across the catfish's skin. Chemoreceptors act like tongues as Red Tails hunt their prey. This explains why Red Tail stop feeding when shedding their skins; the chemoreceptors shut down during this time. The shed skins can often be seen floating on the water in large translucent lumps of mucus.

Jungle Perch the Thailand Trout

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:34:52 +0700

The Hampala Barb (Hampala macrolepidota) is known as the Jungle Perch, yet is not a true perch. The Jungle Perch is a freshwater fish species in the minnows or carps family (family Cyprinidae) of order Cypriniformes (carps), native to the Mekong River basin and the Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand.

Jungle Perch Diet

The Jungle Perch feeds primarily on fry and fish, such as tilapia and Thai tiger perch.

Jungle Perch Identification

In adults the most distinctive feature is a black bar running vertically down the side of the body between the dorsal and pelvic fins. The caudal fin is bright red and orange with black marginal stripes on each outside fin ray. The body is silver to golden in colour, very similar to the roach, the similarity stops here.

Jungle Perch Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: All year

Khao Laem Dam is one of the most prolific Jungle Perch fly fishing locations in Thailand. This hard fighting predator is often caught while fly fishing the marginal snags and weed beds in pursuit of giant snakehead. If targeting jungle perch, the most exciting fly fishing technique is to locate large shoals in open water and sight fish into the shoal. Feeding jungle perch work as a highly co-ordinated team, herding their prey into tight topwater shoals. The Jungle Perch feeding attack creates an unmistakable, large visible disturbance on the surface, providing an extraordinary fly fishing experience.

We also go river fly fishing in Thailand for Jungle Perch, also known as the Thailand Trout because of it's preference for clean, well oxygenated water. The Thailand Trout is similar to Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in the fly fishing methods we adopt. Although known as the Thailand Trout, the Jungle Perch will outfight any trout and is just as difficult to catch.

Jungle Perch are feisty and fight like Peacock Bass.

Chao Phraya Catfish

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:26:47 +0700

The Chao Phraya catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei) is a freshwater fish species in the shark catfish family (family Pangasiidae) of order Siluriformes (catfish). The Chao Phraya catfish is native to the Mekong River basin & Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand.

Chao Phraya Catfish Diet

The Chao Phraya catfish is a predatory fish primarily feeding on fish & occasionally benthic crustaceans.

Chao Phraya Catfish Identification

Grey to white in colour with black tips on the drooping elongated fins. A broad head with a mouth of palatine and vomerine teeth united into a single long crescentic patch – like a strip of sandpaper.

Chao Phraya Catfish Flyfishing in Thailand

Flyfishing Season: All Year

Fly fishing for the Chao Phraya Catfish is in it's infancy. It's predatory feeding pattern make it an ideal target for fly fishing in Thailand. We are presently fly fishing at some undisclosed natural river locations and beginning to meet with success. Details will appear in our newsletter.

Striped Snakehead

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:26:47 +0700

The striped snakehead (Channa striata) is a freshwater fish species in the snakehead family (family Channidae) of order Perciformes (perch-likes). The striped snakehead is native to the ecosystems of the Mekong River basin & Chao Phraya basin in Thailand.

Striped Snakehead Diet

The striped snakehead has a more varied diet than the great or giant snakehead, feeding on detritus, crustaceans, insects, invertebrates, frogs & fish.

Striped Snakehead Identification

The eel-like body of the striped snakehead is dark brown in colour with faint black bands visible across its entire body. The dorsal fin of the striped snakehead is long stretching across the back; a small head with a big mouth displays rows of sharp teeth for trapping its prey.

Striped Snakehead Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: July - March

Fly fishing techniques and location differ somewhat from the giant snakehead. Areas of shallow water with thick weed & vegetation growing to the surface are ideal hideouts for the striped snakehead. To fly fish these weed-choked bays the best fly in the box is a floating bass popper with a weed guard which can be retrieved across the most dense weed.

Striped snakeheads lie in these areas waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. Once located striped snakeheads can be cast to numerous times to induce takes. Unlike the giant snakehead, a missed take does not mean the end; these fish are more willing to re-strike at re-cast flies.

Giant Snakehead

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:09:03 +0700

Thailand's most famous specie the giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) is a freshwater fish species in the snakeheads family (family Channidae) of order Perciformes (perch-likes). The giant snakehead is a native specie to the ecosystems of the Mekong River basin and the Chao Phraya River basin in Thailand.

Giant Snakehead Diet

The adult giant snakehead feeds primarily by hunting fish and occasionally will take small mammals such as rats. The juvenile giant snakehead feeds on algae and plankton until it reaches maturity.

Giant Snakehead Identification

The Giant Snakehead is also known as the Toman. The eel-like body of the adult Giant Snakehead has a broad, dark, longitudinal stripe; juveniles will have two black longitudinal stripes with a bright orange intermediate area. The dorsal fin is long stretching across the back; a small head with a big mouth displays rows of sharp teeth for trapping its prey. The giant snakehead has a physiological need to breathe atmospheric air forcing it to surface and trap air in its suprabranchial organ.

Giant Snakehead Flyfishing in Thailand

Thailand Flyfishing Season: July - March

Malevolent, aggressive, and ferocious are not exaggerated descriptions of the wrath and vehemence of the snakehead as it attacks the fly. It’s intent is to maim, kill and destroy. The snakehead attack is not on a par with pike, bass or barramundi – this predator is infuriated to a state of murderous intent.

The snakehead can migrate overland using it’s pectoral fins to drive itself forward. A Snakehead when caught and boated does not lay quietly in the bottom of the boat. It uses it’s pectoral fins to try and climb out of the boat.

Snakeheads are fiercely protective of their young. Once the eggs have hatched both parents guard the fry. The fry are herded together and kept in a ball by both parents who then maintain a watchful eye over them.

The ball of fry “luk krok” (Thai name) remains in a close school for several months. When hatched the young Snakeheads are a black colour, turning to a bright red as they grow. The size of the ball varies between 0.5 and 1.5 square metres and moves both vertically and horizontally in the water. The parents periodically drive the young to the surface to breathe air. This surfacing action appears as if rain is falling on the water but the time spent in the topwater is brief. If the parents sense any danger, they may split the ball into two - each part escorted by a parent. The ball is reunited only when the parents sense that danger has passed.

Usually the female (larger size) Snakehead stays close to the fry, while the smaller male maintains a patrol - ready to strike at anything which may pose a threat to the young. If one parent is killed the other remains with the fry. Usually the male is taken first leaving the larger female to guard the fry.

Local fisherman in Thailand claim that if both parents are taken, another pair of snakeheads will take over and nurture the fry. Only until they are large enough to eat when the foster parents will pick off the young one by one.

These predatory traits make the snakehead a top fly fishng quarry fish and a perfect freshwater predator. Understanding Snakehead behaviour allows for some of the most exhilarating fly fishing experiences imaginable.

Set deep into Thailand's remote & mountainous Western Jungle, fly fishing with Fly Fish Thailand's Jungle Safari is a unique and rewarding fly fishing experience.