Deviating from saltwater here, this giant freshwater stingray (Himantura polylepis) discovered in Thailand’s Mae Klong river may be the largest freshwater fish recorded! Scientists happened upon the beast while filming Ocean Mysteries, an ABC production hosted by nature conservationist Jeff Corwin. Among those wrangling in the beautiful creature was veterinarian Nantarika Chansue, a professor at Chulalongkorn University who’s been studying the rays in the area for nearly a decade. The heavyweight measured nearly 8ft across and 14ft long, weighing in between 600 and 800 pounds. But let’s cut the girl some slack, she’s also expecting twins! A portable ultrasound revealed she’s carrying two fetal rays. According the the Guinness Book of World Records, the title of largest freshwater fish currently belongs to an estimated 693 pound Mekong catfish. Corwin stressed in a statement the information collected was for the solely for conservation efforts – once sufficient data was collected on the giant, she was released back into the river, free to do giant pregnant stingray things. The story is set to air in full on the show later this year so keep an eye out!… More:
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