Explore fish found in Malaysia by habitat, learn what they eat naturally, and get practical starter bait, lure and rig ideas.
64 species
Channa striata
Haruan occurs in freshwater swamps, canals, lowland rivers and slow water. It is predatory; look around cover, but confirm access and local rules before fishing.
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Photo: renjus box · CC BY 4.0 Source
Channa micropeltes
Toman inhabit lakes, swamps, lowland rivers and larger slow-flowing channels. Adults prey mainly on fish; look for open water near structure and vegetation.
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Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public domain Source
Hampala macrolepidota
Sebarau are associated with clear, flowing rivers and streams, and also occur in reservoirs. Look for current seams, pools and submerged structure.
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Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0 Source
Lates calcarifer
Siakap can live in marine, estuarine and fresh water, and is found around coasts, lagoons and rivers. Depth, tide and access vary by location.
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Photo: John Robert McPherson · CC0 Source
Pangasiidae · several local species
Farmed patin are common in fishing ponds; wild species occur in large freshwater rivers. Ask pond operators about bait, fees and catch rules before fishing.
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Photo: Trương Minh Khải · CC0 Source
Oreochromis spp. · common farmed species
Tilapia commonly live in ponds, lakes and rivers; some species tolerate brackish water. Pond conditions and permitted baits vary, so check with the operator.
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Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0 Source
Clarias spp. · species vary by region
Keli catfish occur in ponds, swamps, canals and slow freshwater. The exact species varies by place, and paid ponds may set bait and method rules.
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Photo: Vassil · CC0 Source
Lutjanus johnii
Adult John's snapper are associated with marine structure, while juveniles occur in mangrove estuaries. Check protected areas, catch limits and local rules before fishing.
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Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith / Reef Life Survey · CC BY 3.0 Source
Rastrelliger kanagurta
Kembung school in coastal bays, harbours and lagoons. They are pelagic; check local conditions and boat safety with the operator or local anglers.
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Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0 Source
Anabas testudineus
Puyu occur in ponds, swamps, canals and slow freshwater. They are hardy fish, but pond conditions and rules vary.
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Photo: Sahat Ratmuangkhwang · CC BY 3.0 Source
Barbonymus gonionotus
Lampam occur in rivers and freshwater; distribution and fish size vary by location.
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Photo: Yung-Lun Lin · CC BY 4.0 Source
Tor tambroides
Kelah are sought-after river fish; access and conservation rules vary. Confirm permission before entering a river.
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Photo: Bernard DUPONT · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source
Osphronemus goramy
Kaloi live in freshwater and occur in ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers.
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Photo: George Berninger Jr. · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Hemibagrus nemurus
Baung are often found in large, slower rivers with soft bottoms. Conditions vary by river.
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Photo: Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Epinephelus malabaricus · representative species
Malabar grouper inhabit marine and brackish water, often around reef structure. Check local restrictions and size limits.
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Photo: Jon Hanson · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source
Scomberomorus commerson
Tenggiri are marine predators found in coastal and open water. Boat, current and sea conditions affect safety.
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Photo: Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0 Source
Caranx ignobilis
GT are associated with reefs and coastal areas; they are powerful fish that need safe casting and handling space.
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Photo: Nasser Halaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Selaroides leptolepis
Yellowstripe scad school in tropical seas. Look for schools and follow safety instructions when fishing from a boat.
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Photo: Kare Kare · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Pampus argenteus
Silver pomfret live in marine and coastal water. Check current, depth and permitted methods at the venue.
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Photo: Hamid Badar Osmany · CC BY 3.0 Source
Sardinella lemuru
Tamban school in tropical seas, and schools can move quickly.
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Photo: Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Barbonymus schwanenfeldii
Lampam Sungai is a Malaysian native freshwater fish; distinguish it from Lampam Jawa.
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Photo: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) · CC BY-SA 2.5 Source
Leptobarbus hoevenii
Jelawat are large local river fish and are also farmed; access and permitted bait depend on the venue.
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Photo: Zahar AZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Probarbus jullieni
Temoleh is listed among Malaysia's native fishes by the Department of Fisheries; check current catch rules before targeting it.
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Photo: NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Thynnichthys thynnoides
Lomah are recorded in local freshwater rivers and lakes; recent local catch reports are more useful than assuming they occur everywhere.
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Photo: Indra Gumay Yudha · CC BY 3.0 Source
Osteochilus vittatus
Terbul are recorded in Malaysian freshwater; specimens and size can vary between rivers.
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Photo: A.H Idham · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Puntioplites bulu
Tengalan are listed among Malaysia's native freshwater fishes; confirm river access and use only permitted bait.
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Photo: Aqmal-Naser et al. (2023) · CC BY 4.0 Source
Oxyeleotris marmorata
Ketutu often hide near the bottom and structure in still freshwater; check the bottom before placing a rig.
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Photo: W.A. Djatmiko (Wie146) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Helostoma temminckii
Temakang occur in ponds, swamps and slow rivers; aquatic plants and venue rules affect how to fish.
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Photo: Amada44 · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Trichopodus trichopterus
Three-spot gourami live in calm, vegetated freshwater; avoid damaging bank-side plants while fishing.
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Photo: Aqmal-Naser et al. (2023) · CC BY 4.0 Source
Hypsibarbus wetmorei
Kerai kunyit are listed among Malaysia's native river fishes; local names and distribution may vary.
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Photo: Haplochromis · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Channa lucius
Bujuk are freshwater predators associated with swamps, canals and vegetated rivers; work cover with controlled casts.
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Photo: Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Channa marulioides
Kerandang are Southeast Asian freshwater predators; local names for Channa species vary by region.
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Photo: Candramawa99 · CC0 Source
Channa limbata
Haruan kedak are small Channa recorded in Malaysia; similar dwarf snakeheads can be misnamed, so check identification and locality.
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Photo: Abu Hamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Chitala lopis
Belida are native river and floodplain-lake fish in the region; check current protection and catch rules before fishing.
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Photo: BEDO (Thailand) · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Kryptopterus bicirrhis
Lais is a local name used for several freshwater catfish; this page uses Kryptopterus bicirrhis as an example.
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Photo: Brian Gratwicke from DC, USA · CC BY 2.0 Source
Pangasius nasutus
Patin buah are local river catfish; size, access and catch rules differ between rivers.
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Photo: Lord Mountbatten · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Ctenopharyngodon idella
Grass carp are native to East Asia and may be farmed or stocked in some waters; do not move live fish between waterways.
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Photo: VasilyMD · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Cyprinus carpio
Common carp are farmed and stocked in many places; check which baits are allowed at a pond or lake.
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie · Public domain Source
Cichla ocellaris
Peacock bass are native to South America and introduced in some waters; do not move or release live fish.
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Photo: Petruss · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Monopterus albus
Asian swamp eels live in mud, rice fields and shallow freshwater; handle hooks carefully and avoid damaging banks.
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Photo: Obsidian Soul · CC0 Source
Anguilla bicolor
Indonesian shortfin eels use freshwater, estuaries and the sea during their life cycle; identify the species and rules before keeping a catch.
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Photo: Andrew Deacon · CC0 Source
Piaractus brachypomus
Pacu are native to South America and may occur in farmed or stocked waters; never release or move live fish elsewhere.
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Photo: Citron · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Lutjanus argentimaculatus
Mangrove jack use mangrove estuaries and coastal water; structure, current and local rules shape the approach.
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Photo: NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Plectropomus leopardus
Leopard coral grouper are associated with tropical reefs; follow protected-zone, size and catch rules.
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Photo: Leonard Low from Australia · CC BY 2.0 Source
Cephalopholis miniata
Coral hind grouper live around reefs and marine structure; avoid protected zones and use suitable leader.
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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Eleutheronema tetradactylum
Fourfinger threadfin are often sought in coastal and estuarine water; check tide and bottom before choosing a rig.
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Photo: BEDO (Thailand) · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Scomberoides commersonnianus
Talang are coastal marine predators that hunt small fish; look for bait schools and keep casting space clear.
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Photo: Abdullajid U. Basali · CC BY 3.0 Source
Sphyraena barracuda
Great barracuda are toothy predators in tropical seas; use suitable leader and handle fish with pliers.
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Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Megalaspis cordyla
Hardtail scad school in coastal seas and chase small fish; schools move with current and conditions.
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Photo: Neeraj Kumar Muniyasamy · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Decapterus russelli
Russell's scad are small schooling pelagic fish; find the school and follow hook limits and boat-operator guidance.
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Photo: Judgefloro · CC0 Source
Selar crumenophthalmus
Bigeye scad school in open and coastal water; school location and timing depend on local conditions.
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Photo: Elisabeth Morcel · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Parastromateus niger
Black pomfret are coastal marine fish; check depth, current and bait rules at the venue.
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Photo: AnonymousUnknown author · Public domain Source
Trachinotus blochii
Snubnose pompano occur in tropical seas and some estuaries; local market names may include related fish.
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Photo: Guido and Carrara family · CC BY 2.0 Source
Nemipterus japonicus
Kerisi are marine bottom fish commonly sold in Malaysia; match rig and sinker to depth and current.
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Photo: AnonymousUnknown author · Public domain Source
Moolgarda seheli
Blue-spot mullet live in coastal and estuarine water; shallow areas and visible schools can help locate them.
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Photo: Dinh D. Tran, FiMSeA / ffish.asia · CC BY 3.0 Source
Megalops cyprinoides
Indo-Pacific tarpon use estuaries, coasts and freshwater; they jump strongly, so make space and handle carefully.
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Photo: NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0 Source
Tylosurus crocodilus
Hound needlefish swim near the surface in coastal water; their bill is sharp, so use pliers and stay clear when unhooking.
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Photo: Philippe Bourjon (original file) · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Rachycentron canadum
Cobia are large marine fish often found near floating structure and objects; boat anglers should follow crew guidance and wear life jackets.
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Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti · Public domain Source
Euthynnus affinis
Kawakawa are fast pelagic tuna that hunt small fish; watch for birds and bait activity rather than a fixed spot.
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Photo: Mohammad Moazzam Khan · CC BY 3.0 Source
Thunnus tonggol
Longtail tuna are tropical pelagic fish; assess sea, current and boat safety before heading out.
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Photo: Muhammad Moazzam Khan · CC BY 3.0 Source
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi-mahi are open-water pelagic predators; plan with an operator and follow boat-safety guidance.
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Photo: Citron · CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Istiophorus platypterus
Sailfish are powerful open-water sport fish; use an experienced operator, wear a life jacket and favour careful release.
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Photo: Ed Bowlby, NOAA/Olympic Coast NMS; NOAA/OAR/Office of Ocean Exploration · Public domain Source
Chirocentrus dorab
Dorab wolf-herring are marine pelagic fish known in Malaysian markets; they are distinct from freshwater fish sometimes also called parang.
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Photo: Hariprasad Shetty10 · CC0 Source
Scomberoides lysan
Double-spotted queenfish are a separate coastal queenfish; use the scientific name because local talang names can refer to related fish.
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Photo: Rickard Zerpe · CC BY-SA 2.0 Source