Chitala ornata (Gray, 1831)
Clown featherback
Chitala ornata
photo by Jean-Francois Helias / Fishing Adventures Thailand

 Family:  Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes)
 Max. size:  100 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,950.0 g
 Environment:  pelagic, potamodromous
 Distribution:  Asia: Mekong basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam; Chao Phraya and Meklong basins.
 Diagnosis:  Distinguished from other members of the family by the presence of a row of large ocellated spots above the base of the anal fin (Ref. 27732). 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 (Ref. 7431).
 Biology:  Inhabits flowing waters of large and medium-sized rivers (Ref. 12693). Within the Mekong mainstream, it occurs in pools (Ref. 37770). Found in the basin-wide mainstream of the lower Mekong (Ref. 36667). A predator on surface-feeding fishes, crustaceans and insects, with a crepuscular or nocturnal activity pattern. Moves into inundated forest during the high water period from June to October. Individuals from the Great Lake are shipped to markets in Thailand (Ref. 12693).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  An invasive species recorded from Laguna de Bay (Ref. 94182).

 Entered by: Torres, Armi G. - 27.05.97
 Modified by: Reyes, Rodolfo B. - 27.02.14
 Checked by: Torres, Armi G. - 29.06.01

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Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10