Clown featherback (Chitala ornata)

Scientific name: Chitala ornata Gray, 1831

The Clown featherback (Chitala ornata) is a freshwater fish of the family Notopteridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Asia, Mekong basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam; Chao Phraya and Meklong basins.

Clown featherback care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Distinguished from other members of the family by the presence of a row of large ocellated spots above the base of the anal fin. Differs from C. chitala in lacking silver or gold transverse streaks on dorsum and from C. blanci and C. lopis in lacking a basal pectoral spot.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Chitala ornata
Family: Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes)
Order: Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Environment: Freshwater; pelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Mekong basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam; Chao Phraya and Meklong basins.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)