Catfish and pangasius are major global aquaculture species with welfare issues including water quality management, high stocking density, and handling at harvest.
Pangasius and catfish welfare in intensive aquaculture reflects the industry tendency to prioritize hardiness and productivity over welfare. These species tolerate low oxygen and high density, which has been exploited in production systems to maximize yield per unit area. Tolerance of poor conditions does not mean absence of stress — oxygen depletion, ammonia accumulation, and crowding all produce physiological stress responses even in robust species. Harvest by pond draining creates acute crowding and thermal stress. Welfare improvement requires water quality standards, density limits, and humane harvesting protocols even for species considered resilient.