The Rediscovery of the Mekong Giant Salmon Carp
The Mekong giant salmon carp, an extraordinary fish species, can grow up to four feet in length and weigh an impressive 66 pounds. This elusive creature is so rare that scientists have only recorded it on approximately 30 occasions, earning it the nickname “Mekong ghost,” a nod to its mysterious nature and the Southeast Asian river that serves as its habitat. Despite its name, this carp species is not a true salmon, though it bears a striking resemblance.
Until recently, this remarkable fish had not been seen since 2005, leading researchers to fear that it may have gone extinct. However, one determined individual continued the search: Chan Sokheng, who dedicated nearly 30 years to the Fisheries Administration in Cambodia. Tragically, he passed away last year, but his legacy lives on in the field of conservation.
In 2020, Sokheng received the long-awaited news he had been hoping for. A fisherman in northern Cambodia had caught a fish that matched the description of the Mekong giant salmon carp, featuring a sleek silver back, a striking yellow stripe across its eye, and a pronounced curved jaw. This remarkable catch was sold to traders in Vietnam. Following this discovery, other fishermen in the same region reported additional sightings of the fish in 2022 and 2023.
Sokheng, with the support of his conservation colleagues, was able to collect two of these specimens for further study. Remarkably, these specimens were found farther downstream in the Mekong watershed than any previous sightings of the salmon carp, marking a significant expansion in our understanding of its range. This information was recently published in a paper in the journal Biological Conservation, celebrating the species’ rediscovery and honoring Sokheng’s vital contributions to this effort.
“It was his dream to see that fish, and his dream came true,” stated Zeb Hogan, an aquatic ecologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a co-author of the paper. The news of the Mekong giant carp’s survival has sparked a renewed sense of urgency within the fishery conservation community, both in Cambodia and across Southeast Asia. Hogan emphasized that this rediscovery serves as “a call to action” to initiate efforts aimed at locating and protecting this magnificent species.
