Chasing Giants: In Search of the World's Largest Freshwater Fish

Zeb Hogan, the host of the National Geographic television show Monster Fish, embarked on a 25-year quest to understand the mysteries of some of the oldest, largest, and most bizarre creatures on Earth. He caught a 646-pound Mekong giant catfish, but wondered if it was the largest freshwater fish in the world. To answer this question, he faced massive arapaima, piranha, alligator gar, pigeon-eating wels catfish, stingrays, and gnarled-toothed sawfish in the Amazon, Texas, France, Cambodia, and Australia. Part of his adventure was captured on Monster Fish, and he teams up with journalist Stefan Lovgren to tell the remarkable and troubling story of the worlds largest freshwater fish, which are dwindling and facing extinction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: University of Nevada Press

Available April 25, 2023!

Join Zeb Hogan, host of the National Geographic television show Monster Fish, on the science adventure of a lifetime.

On May 1, 2005, a Thai fisherman caught a truly monstrous Mekong giant catfish. At 646 pounds, it captured the world's attention, and with awe and wonder, it was deemed the largest freshwater fish on record. There was no denying its size, but when biologist and research associate professor Hogan saw a photo of the fish, he wondered if it really was the biggest in the world. To his surprise, no one had systematically sought to answer the question: Which of the giant freshwater species really was the largest?

Seeking to answer that question has brought Hogan face to face with massive arapaima and piranha in the Amazon, alligator gar in Texas, pigeon-eating wels catfish in France, stingrays in Cambodia, and the gnarled-toothed sawfish in Australia. Part of his scientific adventure has been captured on Monster Fish, and Hogan now tells the full story of his 25-year quest to understand the mysteries of some of the oldest, largest, most bizarre creatures on Earth.

The fate of these giant fish motivates Hogan to understand the various species he studies. The megafish's numbers are dwindling, and the majority of them face extinction. In this book, he teams up with award-winning journalist Stefan Lovgren to tell, for the first time, the remarkable and troubling story of the world's largest freshwater fish. It is a story that stretches across the globe, chronicling a race against the clock to find and protect these ancient leviathans before they disappear forever.

Chasing Giants: In Search of the World's Largest Freshwater Fish combines science, adventure, and wonder to provide insights into the key role the massive fish of our lakes and rivers play in shaping our planet. It explores the science behind these creatures' size, behavior, and survival, and reveals the challenges they face in the face of human activities and climate change.

Through his travels and research, Hogan has gained a deep appreciation for the importance of preserving these ancient giants and the ecosystems they inhabit. He believes that by understanding and protecting these fish, we can help to ensure a sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves the outdoors, science, or adventure. It is a testament to the power of human curiosity and determination, and a reminder of the incredible diversity and beauty of our natural world.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 254 x 178 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647790578