Clown Featherback

Geographic Origin and Habitat: Chitala ornata is native to Southeast Asia, in the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam. The Catalog of Fishes notes introductions elsewhere. FishBase describes freshwater adults in large and medium flowing rivers and Mekong pools, with movement into inundated forest during high water. A trade label does not demonstrate an individual fish’s exact wild locality or uniform habitat history.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes accepts Chitala ornata (Gray, 1831) in Notopteridae: Notopterinae; FishBase places it in Osteoglossiformes. FishBase reports a maximum of 100.0 cm standard length for a male or unsexed specimen. A row of large ocellated spots above the anal-fin base distinguishes it within the family. Do not convert SL to total length or use one published maximum as a guaranteed aquarium size.

Social Behaviour: FishBase reports crepuscular or nocturnal activity and feeding on fishes, crustaceans and insects. Those facts indicate that prey size, feeding access and the behaviour of individual fish matter, but they do not create a universal peacefulness, aggression, solitary or group-housing rule. Evaluate space, cover, competition and observed pursuit in the actual system. Persistent exclusion, injury or missed feeding means that the arrangement needs to change or fish need safe separation.

Colouration and Sexual Dimorphism: The ocellated row above the anal-fin base is a documented identification feature, not a fixed count or proof of sex, locality or lineage. FishBase also uses the lack of particular transverse dorsal streaks or a basal pectoral spot to distinguish related species. The reviewed evidence does not establish a reliable aquarium sexing rule, permanent colour pattern or trade-name identity test. Confirm identity from reliable source information rather than colour names or a single photograph.

Aquarium Setup: A documented 100 cm SL maximum makes this a large-fish planning problem, not a species for a generic starter setup. Adults occur in rivers and pools, and a source-specific aquarium footprint, volume or PVC-pipe arrangement was not established by the evidence reviewed. The current 500 L scalar cannot itself prove adequacy. Provide secure structure, unobstructed swimming space and retreat opportunities that can be altered if behaviour or growth makes the arrangement unsafe.

Diet and Feeding: FishBase reports fishes, crustaceans and insects as foods, and the early-life study identifies carnivory in young fish; neither creates one compulsory shop diet. Use varied foods of suitable size and condition, then adjust portions from appetite, body condition and tested water. Do not make feeder fish, live food, dry food refusal, a particular pellet, meal timing or fasting day into a taxon-wide rule. Uneaten food and persistent feeding change require investigation.

Water Quality: FishBase lists 24–28 °C. The species is a facultative air breather, yet that physiology is not a licence for poor oxygenation, unstable water or neglected sanitation. No reviewed source validates one aquarium pH, GH, KH, TDS, conductivity, nitrate limit or flow setting for every system. Prioritise stable, measured freshwater conditions, oxygenation and nitrogen-waste control; acclimate changes gradually instead of chasing one profile number.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: A large carnivore can create prey and competition risks, but the evidence does not name universally safe companions or prove that every conspecific group will fail. Consider actual fish size, mouth and prey risk, floor and swimming space, cover, feeding access and escape routes. Do not use shape, trade name or an apparently calm first encounter as a guarantee. Continual pursuit, wounds, exclusion or missed feeding are reasons to change the arrangement or separate fish safely.

Aquarium Breeding: A male guarding eggs is documented, but that does not supply a universal home-aquarium breeding protocol. The reviewed sources do not verify a reliable sex ratio, pair selection method, egg count, incubation duration, hatch result or nesting setup for this card. Avoid treating breeding as production. Minimise avoidable disturbance, observe the welfare of all fish and prepare a separation plan if interactions create risk; do not strip, isolate or medicate by default.

Risks and Disease: No taxon-specific aquarium disease or medication dose was established by the reviewed sources. Prevention includes practical quarantine, hygiene, measured water and assessment of abnormal appetite, respiration, posture, lesions or withdrawal; these signs do not diagnose a cause. Treatment follows problem identification and qualified advice, not routine prophylactic medication. As this species is established outside its native range, never release, transfer or dispose of it into natural waters.