Thailand is dotted with fishing villages and some of the rarest fishes. Here are some native fishes from Thailand you need to know about.
Thailand is home to an extensive number of fish species, both freshwater and marine. Fish found in saltwater environments live in the ocean, whereas freshwater fish inhabit lakes and rivers such as the Chao Phraya, Mekong, and Salween. There are more than 2,300 fish species in the nation, including about 1,500 species in saltwater and 800 species in freshwater. Twenty fish species are unique to the country's waters, while another 22 have been introduced to the country's marine and freshwater ecosystems. Here, we'll take a look at a few of the native fishing species in Thailand.
Brown Tang
Zebrasoma scopas, often known as the brown tang or two-tone tang, is a species of marine reef tang in the family Acanthuridae. Marine fish is common and sought after by aquarists. The brown tang, which may reach a maximum length of around 40 centimeters, has a deeply compressed body and a prominent snout. Its head and body are white, while its tail is a dark brown-black color. Adult brown tangs have a white spine on their caudal peduncle and anything from five to twenty-four soft rays on their dorsal fin. The juveniles of this species are less dark overall and have a yellowish stripe across their faces. The brown tang's unique pharyngeal teeth allow it to easily consume algae as a herbivore diet.
Horseface Loach
Acantopsis dialuzona is a species of Loach found in freshwater environments. Its natural habitat is the clean waterways of Southeast Asia. The horseface grayling is a quick swimmer that hides in the fine sand at the bottom of the ocean to avoid predators. It lacks canine teeth but instead has pharynx teeth on its neck and a long tail on its back. Throughout Asia and Europe, the horseface plec is a common staple dish. The trade of fish for aquariums relies on it as well. Major threats to the Thai horseface loach include habitat loss, overfishing, and water pollution.
Yellow-Tail Barracuda
Barracuda Sphyraena flavicauda belongs to the family Sphyraenidae and is often known as the Yellow-Tail Barracuda. It is a marine fish that is terrifying in appearance and big in body composition and has a vicious temperament. Its habitat is at the water's surface. The Yellow-Tail Barracuda, which can grow to be as long as 60 cm and possesses teeth that resemble fangs, looks like a snake at first glance. The gills are smooth and coated with thin scales, yet the head is big and pointed. The frontal fins are split, with five spines on the front fin and just one on the back. From its head to its tail, a clear lateral line may be seen. The body is striped with brown and the tail is a bright yellow. Fish are the only diet of the Yellow-Tail Barracuda. These are scavengers and a threat to swimmers, yet are prized as both a culinary and sporting commodity.
