The world's largest species of cyprinid is the giant barb, also known as the Trei Kol Raing. Only the river basins of the Mae Klong, Mekong, and Chao Phraya in the Indochina Peninsula are home to these migratory fish. It is currently regarded as severely endangered because of its sharp fall brought on by habitat loss and overfishing. It's the biggest fish in Cambodia and possibly the globe, larger than any other fish found there. It is two to three meters long and weighs between 150 and 300 kg. Its whole body is covered in huge scales. excluding the fins and head. The body's overall colour is perceived as a distinct colour, with transparent black visible above the stripe line and silver visible below it. Article 18, Chapter 2 of the Royal Code protects fish of this kind. Law No. 33 on Fisheries. This species is found along the Mekong River, with the Tonle Sap being its primary habitat. The Angkor Wat temple features a sculpture of this fish etched on its wall. Although they occasionally reach smaller canals, floodplains, and flooded woodlands, they are typically observed in the vast pools near the borders of great rivers. Although they may adapt to live in ponds, canals, and swamps, young barbs are typically found in smaller tributaries and wetlands. The fish usually couple off to live together. These fish migrate, moving to more advantageous locations at different times of the year to feed and mate. These sluggish fish eat algae, phytoplankton, and the fruits of submerged land plants; they hardly ever, if ever, consume moving creatures. It has been reported that immature giant barbs occur mostly in October in the lower Mekong basin. It is quite soft and does not seek out and devour other fish. Cambodians enjoy eating because their meat is very tasty. Seafood is delicious and a great source of health-promoting protein. The basis of the shuttlecock (Sei), a well-liked sporting item among Khmer people, is also made from its scales. It is a unique fish that is protected and preserved by both the Royal Government and non-governmental organisations, in addition to being easier to feed than any other kind of fish. Now, it Due to their ease of feeding and quick growth, farmers have been encouraged to feed these fish, and breeding stations have been encouraged to attempt and breed them. Meanwhile, to safeguard this threatened species, there have been fish-protecting zones along the Mekong River. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are keen to assist in the preservation of this species of fish to prevent it from being endangered or wiped out due to its economic significance. The primary risks stem from overfishing and habitat degradation caused by pollution and dams. 200 tonnes of huge barbs were caught in Cambodia in 1964; fishing data from that country serves as a good example of the fast population fall. There were only over 50 fish fished in 1980 and just ten in 2000. There was only one little individual found during surveys conducted between 1993 and 1999, despite the fact that it was once a significant fish in local fishing below the Khone Phapheng Falls. As a result, the IUCN Red List has classified the huge barb as severely endangered. Its extinction from the Chao Phraya River is complete. To raise awareness of this species' need for protection, the Kingdom of Cambodia named this fish the national fish in a 2005 royal proclamation.
