River Monsters

River Monsters extreme fisherman and biologist Jeremy Wade seeks out the largest freshwater fish. He travels all over the world and risks his own safety to land his catch. He also aims to uncover the secrets of our great rivers. His show is available in the US, the UK, and more than 100 other countries. Jeremy helpfully provides us with a running commentary as the action unfolds. He explains that he doesn’t know what he is thinking as he plunges into the fast-flowing river but that he is certain that he wants to land the fish. Against the odds and after nearly being swept away a few times, he manages to wrestle the monster to the shore. Here, his companion helps to land the giant fish by grabbing it by the tail. He exclaims “That is a big fish” before pointing out its muscled body and shark-like teeth.

Giant Goonch Catfish

We also learn from Jeremy that this is a giant goonch catfish. These are carnivorous fish that have no known predator – apart from humans. They truly are monsters and can grow up to 200 pounds in weight and over six and a half feet in length. It’s no wonder that they are also referred to as giant devil catfish and river monsters. They have several rows of razor-sharp teeth and do not hesitate to use them on humans and domestic animals. Several attacks have been reported around the Kali River in India. Water buffalo were attacked as well as men and boys from local villages. These ferocious giants prefer fast-flowing mountainous rivers just like the one we see in this footage. They catch other fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and invertebrates. They live a solitary life and have mucus-covered skin instead of scales. Even though they are considered a vulnerable species, there are no accurate records of their numbers. They are surprisingly popular in aquariums! Although potential owners need to choose a small individual and be able to provide a large enough tank. They need to be kept alone because they are so aggressive and need at least 180 gallons of fast-flowing water and lots of frozen meaty food!

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