Some fishermen in Cambodia mistakenly reeled in a giant 400-pound stingray in the Mekong River. It was dragged off the murky waters after it swallowed a fish snagged on the fisher's line.
Stingrays have flattened bodies composed of pectoral fins, head and trunk, and an infamous tail trailing behind. A stingray's coloration is usually similar to the shade of the seafloor, acting as its camouflage to avoid predatory sharks and larger rays. They are usually found in shallow coastal waters and spend most of their time inactive, partially buried in the sand.
Astonished Fishermen Mistakenly Caught Massive Stingray
Fishermen in Cambodia were surprised by their massive catch when they unexpectedly reeled in a gigantic stingray on May 5 in the Stung Treng province.
The stingray is 6 feet wide and 13 feet long, including its whip-like tail with 6-inch venomous, serrated barb, according to the UNR representative, Live Science reported. It weighs 397 pounds.
Fortunately, a team of marine biologists from the University of Nevada was also on a nearby expedition, so the fishermen were able to ask for help.
The experts identified the monstrous stingray caught on May 5 as a giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis). The team members of the Wonders of the Mekong project, run by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), helped the fishermen remove the fishing line and measure the stingray before safely releasing it back into the river.
"We were able to get the stingray into a nice spot of the river, get the hook out, we placed it on a tarp, and then pushed it out into the river," the news outlet WCIA quoted fish biologist and professor Dr. Zeb Hogan.
He added that colossal catches like the stingray are mostly not reported and are rare incidents. Catching the stingray confirms the existence of these big fish in the Mekong River, which is not well studied and stretches from China and some parts of Asia.
About Giant Freshwater Stingrays
According to National Geographic, the giant freshwater stingray may be the largest freshwater fish in the world. On the other hand, they are also cloaked in mystery as no one is sure how many giant stingrays there are left, the habitats they prefer, and whether they also venture into the ocean like their other relatives.
These ancient fish that can reach up to 16.5 feet long have changed so little over millions of years. Some giant freshwater stingrays could reach up to 1,300 pounds, although some accounts were difficult to verify.
They are usually found in river systems in Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand, often burning themselves in sandy or silty river bottoms, breathing through the holes or spiracles on top of their bodies. Stingrays use the sensors in their mouths to find their prey, such as clams and crabs, by detecting an animal's electrical field.
Despite their size, they are not well-studies because they hide at the bottom of the river. They are not considered good food in Southeast Asia, so fishermen do not target them. However, sometimes fishers mistakenly catch them in nets or hooks.
These car-sized sea creatures can put up a ferocious fight when caught by a hook. There are reports about giant stingrays dragging boats for hours on the river.
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