There are mixed reports to the number of fish species found in Thale Noi Lake with some ranging from 45 species  to other much lower figures of 26 species.
It is likely that many species have been lost from the wetlands due to habitat conversion, pollution and fragmentation resulting from agricultural expansion and industrialisation, however more research is required to quantify the extent of loss.
Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens), once common in the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area are facing declining populations due to habitat destruction from land conversion, pollution and over-exploitation in the pet trade.
This species is commonly bred in Thailand for the purpose of betting on aggressive fighting male individuals and for their attractive colouring.
A secondary threat, as a consequence of the international trade of this species, is genetic erosion resulting from privately bred stock being released into wild areas.
This loss of genetic diversity increases the risk of local extinctions as populations become less adapted to survive in changing environments.
It is reported that Prophagorus niuhofi, Walking Catfish, native to Thailand were previously found at Thale Noi, however there is no recent literature available on the distribution of this species in the area.
The Giant Sword Minnow (Macrochirichthys macrochirus) was once also found in Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area  however is now extirpated due to its sensitivities to pollution and gillnet fishing.

Other non-threatened aquatic species present in the wetlands include several economically valuable species - Snakehead (Channa spp.);
Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus); several catfish varieties; Grey Featherback (Notopterus notopterus), Swamp eel (Fluta alba), 2 freshwater prawn species (Macrobrachium lanchesteri, Macrobrachium rosenbergii)  and several crab species.
There are mixed reports to the number of fish species found in Thale Noi Lake with some ranging from 45 species  to other much lower figures of 26 species. It is likely that many species have been lost from the wetlands due to habitat conversion, pollution and fragmentation resulting from agricultural expansion and industrialisation, however more research is required to quantify the extent of loss. Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens), once common in the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area are facing declining populations due to habitat destruction from land conversion, pollution and over-exploitation in the pet trade. This species is commonly bred in Thailand for the purpose of betting on aggressive fighting male individuals and for their attractive colouring. A secondary threat, as a consequence of the international trade of this species, is genetic erosion resulting from privately bred stock being released into wild areas. This loss of genetic diversity increases the risk of local extinctions as populations become less adapted to survive in changing environments. It is reported that Prophagorus niuhofi, Walking Catfish, native to Thailand were previously found at Thale Noi, however there is no recent literature available on the distribution of this species in the area. The Giant Sword Minnow (Macrochirichthys macrochirus) was once also found in Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area  however is now extirpated due to its sensitivities to pollution and gillnet fishing.
Other non-threatened aquatic species present in the wetlands include several economically valuable species - Snakehead (Channa spp.); Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus); several catfish varieties; Grey Featherback (Notopterus notopterus), Swamp eel (Fluta alba), 2 freshwater prawn species (Macrobrachium lanchesteri, Macrobrachium rosenbergii)  and several crab species.
Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area