Clown Featherback

Chitala ornata 

Habitat & Distribution :  Southeast Asia

Diet : Fish, crustacean, insects 

Size : 90-100 cm 

Lifespan : 10 - 15 years

Description

Its body shape is long and curved like a knife with five to ten black spots with a white outer on the tail fin. 

Behavior

 It is nocturnal and hunts fish that fits in its mouth. Juveniles tend to stay near caves or logs, but as it matures, it becomes territorial and solitary. 

Reproduction

These fish reproduce in flooded forest areas or shallow river pools. They are known for their strong parental care, where the male guards the eggs and fry. 

Communication & Perception

These fish possess an electromagnetic sensory array. They generate weak electric fields from their electric organ and use specialized receptors on their skin to navigate and detect other creatures in the murky water of their native habitats 

Predator(s)

Occasionally crocodiles, birds