Edit Chitala chitala
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Name
Scientific name
Chitala chitala
Described by
Authority Hamilton, Year 1822, Bracketed
Family
Notopteridae
Common names
Indian Featherback
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The Indian featherback, Chitala chitala, is a very large notopterid probably restricted to Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Its name …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
1220mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Brahmaputra, Gandaki, Ganges, Indus, Karnali, Karnaphuli, Koshi, Mahakali, Mahanadi
Writing
Etymology
Chitala: a Bengali vernacular name for members of this genus. chitala: as above.
Distribution
Although often reported to range throughout most of southern Asia this species is probably restricted to the Indian subcontinent in Pakistan, India (records fr…
Habitat
Mostly known from major river channels and freshwater lakes, but has also been observed in swamps, beels, presumably during the spawning season.
Aquarium size
Suitable only for public installations or the very largest, highly-specialised private aquaria.
Maintenance
Prefers dim lighting and access to refuges in the form of driftwood, large rocks or lengths of plastic piping. A large, mature filter system, rigorous maintena…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
An obligate, typically nocturnal, predator feeding on smaller fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates in nature but in most cases adapting well to dead alt…
Behaviour and compatibility
Relatively peaceful with fishes too large to be considered prey but can be territorial with conspecifics and other similarly-shaped species, especially if spac…
Sexual dimorphism
Not written yet
Reproduction
Unreported in captivity but in nature female individuals have been observed to deposit eggs on solid surfaces such as submerged tree stumps or stakes, after wh…
Notes
This species' name has been widely misapplied in the aquarium trade and hobbyist literature, most often in reference to the Southeast Asian species C. ornata, …
References
References
3 on this profile