Edit Notopterus notopterus

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Name

Scientific name

Notopterus notopterus

Described by

Authority Pallas, Year 1769, Bracketed

Family

Notopteridae

Common names

Bronze Featherback

Photograph credits

All 3 credited

Summary

The bronze featherback, Notopterus notopterus, is an air-breathing notopterid from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Also called …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

600mm, 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

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Ayeyarwady, Batang Hari, Bhima, Brahmaputra, Byanda, Chao Phraya, Chindwin, Dibru, Endau, Ganges, Indus, Kaveri, Krishna, Lake Inle, Mae Klong, Mahanadi, Mekong, Mutha Mula, Myittha, Perak, Salween, Sittaung, Tonlé Sap, Tungabhadra, Yamuna

Writing

Etymology

Notopterus: from the Ancient Greek νῶτον (nôton), meaning 'back', and πτερόν (pterón), meaning 'wing, feather', in reference to the small, quill-like dorsal fi…

Distribution

Currently accepted to occur throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia with extensive records from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos…

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

Unrecorded in aquaria. Wild fish have been observed depositing eggs among submerged vegetation in areas of flooded forest during the wet season.

Notes

This species is also referred to as 'Asian knifefish' or 'ghost knifefish' in the aquarium trade in the aquarium trade but arguably has no place in the ornamen…

This species is also referred to as 'Asian knifefish' or 'ghost knifefish' in the aquarium trade in the aquarium trade but arguably has no place in the ornamental hobby given its adult size and specialised requirements. It is sometimes confused with the African species Xenomystus nigri but is easily told apart by its larger adult size and presence (vs. absence) of a dorsal fin.

The genus Notopterus is currently monotypic but is likely to represent a complex of closely-related species, all of which are currently grouped together under N. notopterus. It is told apart from related genera by its plain brown adult colour pattern, relatively straight dorsal head profile, maxilla extending to pupil or posterior border of eye, and presence of larger scales on head than body. Juveniles possess a number of dark vertical bars on the body.

Notopterids are distributed in Africa and Southeast Asia and all possess an elongated anal-fin which is continuous with the caudal-fin, a 'humped' appearance, very small scales, plus the ability to breathe atmospheric air.

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My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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References

9 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References