Clown featherback
Chitala ornata latin
clown knifefish
spotted knifefish

Chitala ornata (Clown featherback or clown knifefish)

Although much smaller in size, it is similar in appearance to the Chitala ornata, another important fish in Thai cuisine.

Chitala ornata (clown featherback or clown knifefish)

For the first few days, clown knifefish are shy and prone to hiding.

Most clown knifefish are afflicted with cloudy eye color when they age.

The royal knifefish, often sold as the royal clown knifefish, is occasionally sold in the aquarium trade.

Chitala ornata (clown featherback or clown knifefish)

Young clown knifefish usually school near water logs and plants for security, whereas more mature specimens usually become territorial and eventually become loners.

Other well-known species are the clown knifefish (C. ornata) and the Indochina knifefish (C. blanci).

The clown featherback, clown knifefish, or spotted knifefish, Chitala ornata, is a nocturnal tropical fish with a long, knife-like body.

The main species confused with this species is C. ornata (clown featherback or clown knifefish); a Southeast Asian species seen regularly in the aquarium trade.

The clown knifefish is very distinct, with normally silvery gray with a long knife-like body (laterally compressed) and a long anal fin that gives these fish their common name.

Gymnotus maculosus (Spotted knifefish)

The clown featherback, clown knifefish, or spotted knifefish, Chitala ornata, is a nocturnal tropical fish with a long, knife-like body.