Giant freshwater stingray or Freshwater whipray
(<i>Himantura chaophraya</i>). The disk ... rel= © WWF / Zeb HOGAN

Key Facts
Common name
Common Name

Giant Freshwater Stingray

Endangered

Status

IUCN: Endangered

IUCN Red List Entry
Weight

Weight

Up to 600kg

Latin name

Scientific Name

Himantura chaophraya (syn. Himantura polylepis)

IUCN Red List Profile
Length

Body Length

Up to 200cm, plus up to 500cm tail

Did you know?

Did you know?

Despite its huge size only described by scientists in 1990

The giant freshwater stingray is one of the largest and heaviest freshwater fishes in the world. Only described by scientists in 1990, the giant freshwater stingray occurs in several river systems in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. While Australian populations – which generally average much smaller than those in Southeast Asia – appear to be stable, giant freshwater stingrays have been under serious decline in Thailand, where they are now listed as critically endangered. In Cambodia, not much is known about this species’ status in the Mekong River, and more research is needed to develop an effective species management plan. As a benthic feeder foraging on the river bottom, these stingrays are especially vulnerable to increasing siltation due to human activity as well as to isolation of reproductive subpopulations through construction of large-scale hydropower dams.