| Family: |
Notopteridae (Featherbacks or knifefishes), subfamily: Notopterinae |
| Max. size: |
100 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,950.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater, 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: |
Adults inhabit flowing waters of large and medium-sized rivers (Ref. 12693). Within the Mekong mainstream, they occur in pools (Ref. 37770, 36667). They feed on surface-feeding fishes, crustaceans and insects, with a crepuscular or nocturnal activity pattern. They move 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: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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