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Fishing in Malaysia

31 species across 34 spots

Malaysia offers fishing across 34 spots with 31 species in marine, freshwater, marine, brackish waters. Suitable for beginner to expert anglers.

Best months: March to may, March-may, January to march, Nov‑feb

Top Spots

Sipadan Island4 species

Iconic dive destination; the steep walls and overhangs are teeming with chromis, especially during the northwest monsoon when plankton surges.

Kinabatangan River4 species

The largest river in Sabah, its slow‑moving backwaters and flooded forest provide ideal habitats for the catfish.

Sarawak River2 species

Renowned for abundant black‑marbled catfish in the lower reaches near Kuching; clear waters and abundant cover make it a prime target for anglers.

31

Species

34

Spots

Species

31
Spotted croucher

Spotted croucher

Caracanthus madagascariensis

Very Common

marine

Lankayan Island
Malay glass catfish

Malay glass catfish

Ompok eugeneiatus

Very Common

freshwater

Kampong JayaUpper Perak River
Malayan chromis

Malayan chromis

Pycnochromis flavipectoralis

Very Common

marine

Sipadan Island
Acrochordonichthys guttatus

Acrochordonichthys guttatus

Acrochordonichthys guttatus

Very Common

freshwater

Sungai SarawakKinabatangan River
Indian mackerel

Indian mackerel

Rastrelliger kanagurta

Very Common

marine

Kuantan River
Tigertooth croaker

Tigertooth croaker

Otolithes ruber

Very Common

marine, brackish

Langkawi Archipelago, Pantai Cenang
Acrostalagmus luteoalbus

Acrostalagmus luteoalbus

Acrostalagmus luteoalbus

Very Common
Sipadan Island
Short mackerel

Short mackerel

Rastrelliger brachysoma

Very Common

marine, brackish

South China Sea, off Sibu Island, Malaysia
Island mackerel

Island mackerel

Rastrelliger faughni

Very Common

marine

Langkawi Islands
Clarias nigromarmoratus

Clarias nigromarmoratus

Clarias nigromarmoratus

Common

freshwater

Sarawak RiverDanum Valley Conservation Area
Cebu shrimpgoby

Cebu shrimpgoby

Cryptocentrus cebuanus

Common

marine

Sipadan Island
Brunei dartfish

Brunei dartfish

Navigobius vittatus

Common

marine

Sipadan Island
Korean seerfish

Korean seerfish

Scomberomorus koreanus

Common

marine

Strait of Malacca, off Kuala Lumpur
Pseudomystus myersi

Pseudomystus myersi

Pseudomystus myersi

Common

freshwater

Kinabatangan RiverBaram River
Speartail mudgoby

Speartail mudgoby

Oxyurichthys lonchotus

Common

marine

Miri River Delta
Cowtail stingray

Cowtail stingray

Pastinachus sephen

Common

marine, freshwater, brackish

Tioman Island – Salang Bay
Vincent's sillago

Vincent's sillago

Sillago vincenti

Common

marine, brackish

Langkawi Coast

Yellow Puffer

Tetraodon lunaris

Common

Coastal waters, reefs

Pulau Tioman
Panna croaker

Panna croaker

Panna microdon

Occasional

marine, brackish

Sabah Coast (Borneo)
Microctenopoma pekkolai

Microctenopoma pekkolai

Microctenopoma pekkolai

Occasional

freshwater

Borneo Rainforest Streams – Kuching, Sarawak
Fiveband barb

Fiveband barb

Desmopuntius pentazona

Occasional

freshwater

Batang RiverKinabalu RiverPerlis River+1
Bearded roguefish

Bearded roguefish

Tetraroge barbata

Occasional

marine, freshwater, brackish

Mabul Island, Sabah
Barbodes baoulan

Barbodes baoulan

Barbodes baoulan

Occasional

freshwater

Kayan River
Black sharkminnow

Black sharkminnow

Labeo chrysophekadion

Occasional

freshwater

Pahang River (Upper Basin)Sarawak, Rajang River Tributary
Encheloclarias velatus

Encheloclarias velatus

Encheloclarias velatus

Occasional

freshwater

Kinabatangan RiverSungei Buntal Blackwater SwampDanum Valley Conservation Area
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus

Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus

Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus

Occasional

freshwater, brackish

Kinabatangan RiverUpper Baram River
Garra tiam

Garra tiam

Garra tiam

Occasional

freshwater

Sarawak River
Schistura rupecula

Schistura rupecula

Schistura rupecula

Uncommon

freshwater

Batang Baram Tributary, Sarawak
Troglonectes canlinensis

Troglonectes canlinensis

Troglonectes canlinensis

Uncommon

freshwater

Borneo Limestone Karsts
Siamese fighting fish

Siamese fighting fish

Betta splendens

Uncommon

freshwater

Borneo Peat Swamps, Sarawak
Pangasius mahakamensis

Pangasius mahakamensis

Pangasius mahakamensis

Uncommon

freshwater, brackish

Batang Kuantan River – Pahang