Edit Chitala ornata
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Chitala ornata
Described by
Authority Gray, Year 1831
Family
Notopteridae
Common names
Clown Featherback
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The clown featherback, Chitala ornata, is a large notopterid native to the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya and Mekong river systems of Thailand and …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
1000mm, 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
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Mekong
Writing
Etymology
Chitala: a Bengali vernacular name for members of this genus. ornata: from the Latin ornatus, meaning 'adorned, decorated', in reference to this species' colou…
Distribution
Native to the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya, and Mekong river systems in Thailand, plus the Mekong basin in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It has been introduced to Mya…
Habitat
Inhabits lower parts of rivers and tributaries, swamps, floodplains, and lakes, including some man-made dams to which it seems well-adaptable. Moves into areas…
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
Unreported.
Reproduction
Unreported in captivity but in nature male individuals contruct nests from branches and leaves and remains to guard the eggs and fry post-spawning, which takes…
Notes
This species is also referred to as 'clown knifefish' in the aquarium trade but arguably has no place in the ornamental hobby given its adult size and speciali…
References
References
5 on this profile