Spotted / Clown Featherback. (Chitala ornata). Max length 100cm. Max weight 6kg’s.
Predatory.
This member of the Notopteridae - Featherbacks or knifefishes family of fishes is widely distributed throughout Asia in the Mekong basin in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam; Chao Phraya and Meklong basins. The Spotted Featherback is easily distinguished from other members of the family by the presence of a row of large ocellated spots above the base of the anal fin.
The Spotted Featherback inhabits flowing waters of large and medium-sized rivers Within the Mekong mainstream, it occurs in pools. The Spotted Featherback is also found in the basin-wide mainstream of the lower Mekong.
The Spotted/Clown Featherback is a predator which feeds on surface-feeding fishes, crustaceans and insects, with a crepuscular or nocturnal activity pattern. The Spotted Featherback moves into inundated forest during the high water period between the months of June and October.
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